Moving from Ontario, CA to Memphis, TN
A 1763 mi cross-country move between Ontario and Memphis is 30h 18m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1763 mi Β· 30h 18m by car Β· TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β 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
| Ontario | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.4% cheaper overall in Memphis than Ontario on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 54.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Memphis gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.47 |
Memphis households earn about 13.4% less than Ontario at the median β $82,806 β $51,211 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Memphis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 106,230 | $38,330 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 83,120 | $40,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 51,140 | $28,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 50,680 | $32,680 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 39,480 | $73,120 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California 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.
- 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 Memphis average 92Β°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: Memphis averages 54.9 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 the job market in Memphis compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 78.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Memphis more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 13.4% lower than Ontario (92.179 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Memphis, TN from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 1763 mi and the route typically takes 30h 18m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1763 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 38.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Memphis, TN.