Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Knoxville, TN
A move from Philadelphia, PA to Knoxville, TN covers 630 mi and around 11h 58m 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.
630 mi Β· 11h 58m by car Β· PA β DE β MD β VA β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β DE β MD β VA β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, US 52, I 95 |
| Major cities en route | Baltimore, Alexandria |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Philadelphia | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.554 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 114.389 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.833 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.141 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Knoxville are 9.7% below Philadelphia β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Knoxville typical home at $369,216 is 9.7% above Philadelphia at $231,815 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Philadelphia +2.0%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Philadelphia | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.7" | 55.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 57.7Β°F vs 57.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Philadelphia | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $60,698 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.28 |
Median household income in Knoxville is 9.7% below Philadelphia ($60,698 β $50,994, ACS 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 Pennsylvania 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements 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 Philadelphia to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 630 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 Philadelphia vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $60,698 in Philadelphia β a 16.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Philadelphia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 9.7% lower than Philadelphia (92.569 vs 102.554, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Philadelphia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 2,829,560 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Philadelphia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $231,815 in Philadelphia β a 59.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance is 630 mi and the route typically takes 11h 58m via I 81 and US 52. The trip crosses 5 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 Philadelphia.
City profiles: Philadelphia, PA Β· Knoxville, TN.