Moving from Raleigh, NC to Knoxville, TN
It is a 368 mi drive, roughly 6h 56m, between Raleigh, NC and Knoxville, TN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
368 mi Β· 6h 56m by car Β· NC β VA β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 52, I 81, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Cary, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Raleigh | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.7% moving from Raleigh to Knoxville β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Knoxville run about 5.7% cheaper β ZHVI $433,996 β $369,216 (2026-03).
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Raleigh | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 55.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.1Β°F vs 57.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.28 |
Knoxville households earn about 5.7% less than Raleigh at the median β $82,424 β $50,994 on 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 North Carolina 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in 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 Raleigh to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 368 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Raleigh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 5.7% lower than Raleigh (92.569 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Raleigh vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $82,424 in Raleigh β a 38.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 368 mi and the route typically takes 6h 56m via US 52 and I 81. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $433,996 in Raleigh β a 14.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC Β· Knoxville, TN.