Moving from Memphis, TN to Palmdale, CA
A 1768 mi cross-country move between Memphis and Palmdale is 30h 34m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1768 mi · 30h 34m by car · TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 66 HIST, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Palmdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Palmdale is 23.2% above Memphis — one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
23.2% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 7.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Palmdale — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 3.56 |
Palmdale households earn about 23.2% more than Memphis at the median — $51,211 → $81,151 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palmdale average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Palmdale, CA from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 1768 mi and the route typically takes 30h 34m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Palmdale more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale is 23.2% higher than Memphis (113.566 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Memphis and Palmdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Palmdale vs 63.4°F in Memphis (0.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 7.3 in vs 54.9 in.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 58.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 246.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1768 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Palmdale, CA.