Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Knoxville, TN
A move from Oklahoma City, OK to Knoxville, TN covers 856 mi and around 15h 8m of driving through 3 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.
856 mi Β· 15h 8m by car Β· OK β AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270, OK 3 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Little Rock, Memphis, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Knoxville and Oklahoma City is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Knoxville is 2.4% above Oklahoma City β $206,713 vs $369,216 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 27Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 55.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Oklahoma City (60.1Β°F) and Knoxville (57.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 35 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.28 |
Median household income in Knoxville is 2.4% below Oklahoma City ($66,702 vs $50,994, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Knoxville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,000 | $39,660 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 40,780 | $28,680 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 39,220 | $36,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,880 | $32,470 |
| Production Occupations | 33,840 | $41,910 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Pack rain gear on top: Knoxville averages 55.8 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City β a 23.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 856 mi and the route typically takes 15h 8m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 2.4% higher than Oklahoma City (92.569 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City β a 78.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 856 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK Β· Knoxville, TN.