Moving from Oxnard, CA to Knoxville, TN

Cross-country relocations like Oxnard, CA β†’ Knoxville, TN cover 2239 mi and about 39h 4m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.

2239 mi Β· 39h 4m by car Β· CA β†’ AZ β†’ NM β†’ TX β†’ OK β†’ AR β†’ TN

COL -16.3% Home values -51.9% Ξ” -3.3Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
2239 mi
Drive time
39h 4m
States
7
Fuel (25 mpg)
90 gal
Route throughCA β†’ AZ β†’ NM β†’ TX β†’ OK β†’ AR β†’ TN
Primary highwaysI 40, US 270, OK 3
Major cities en routeSan Buenaventura, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Los Angeles, Santa Clarita

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

OxnardKnoxvilleU.S. avg
All items (RPP)110.53492.569100.0
Rents152.92571.869100.0
Goods105.16896.247100.0
Services171.09682.783100.0

Knoxville is 16.3% cheaper than Oxnard overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Oxnard β€” typical home
$767,291
Knoxville β€” typical home
$369,216
Oxnard β€” typical rent
$2,912/mo
Knoxville β€” typical rent
$1,729/mo

Typical home value in Knoxville is 16.3% below Oxnard β€” $767,291 vs $369,216 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).

YoY change: Oxnard -0.4%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsOxnardKnoxville
Annual avg temperature61Β°F58Β°F
January avg low46Β°F26Β°F
July avg high73Β°F88Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”β€”
Annual precipitation12.9"55.8"

Annual average temperatures in Oxnard (61.2Β°F) and Knoxville (57.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OXNARD VENTURA CO AP, CA US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023OxnardKnoxville
Population201,014193,721
Median household income$93,372$50,994
Median age3433.3
Bachelor's degree or higher13.4%20.5%
Avg household size3.882.28

Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.3% between Oxnard and Knoxville (ACS 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Oxnard MSA β€” median wage
$48,380
Knoxville MSA β€” median wage
$43,040
Oxnard MSA β€” employment
315,720
Knoxville MSA β€” employment
413,540

Top occupations in Knoxville MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 California and Tennessee

California income tax
13.3% top marginal
Tennessee income tax
no state income tax

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 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

  • Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
  • I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
  • Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
  • 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

When is the best time to move from Oxnard to Knoxville?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2239 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

Is Knoxville more expensive than Oxnard?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 16.3% lower than Oxnard (92.569 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How does household income compare in Oxnard vs Knoxville?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $93,372 in Oxnard β€” a 45.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Oxnard?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $767,291 in Oxnard β€” a 51.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Oxnard?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $48,380 in the Oxnard MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How far is Knoxville, TN from Oxnard, CA?

The driving distance is 2239 mi and the route typically takes 39h 4m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oxnard.

City profiles: Oxnard, CA Β· Knoxville, TN.

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