Moving from Memphis, TN to Orlando, FL
A move from Memphis, TN to Orlando, FL covers 760 mi and around 14h 55m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
760 mi · 14h 55m by car · TN → MS → AL → GA → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → MS → AL → GA → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 78, US 280, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, Columbus, Gainesville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.0% pricier overall in Orlando than Memphis on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Orlando typical home at $374,136 is 10.0% above Memphis at $144,710 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 73°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 50°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 51.5" |
Orlando runs 9.6°F warmer on the annual average (63.4°F vs 73.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Orlando sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Orlando is 10.0% above Memphis ($51,211 vs $69,268, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Orlando average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Orlando averages 51.5 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Orlando more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 10.0% higher than Memphis (101.418 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 158.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Orlando compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Memphis to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 760 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 35.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Orlando, FL from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 760 mi and the route typically takes 14h 55m via US 78 and US 280. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Memphis and Orlando?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.0°F in Orlando vs 63.4°F in Memphis (9.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 51.5 in vs 54.9 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Orlando, FL.