Moving from Reno, NV to Memphis, TN
A 2130 mi cross-country move between Reno and Memphis is 35h 51m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2130 mi · 35h 51m by car · TN → AR → OK → KS → CO → WY → UT → NV
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → OK → KS → CO → WY → UT → NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Wichita, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Reno | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.014 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.274 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.478 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.7% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Memphis at 92.179 vs Reno at 101.014.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.7% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $567,857 to $144,710 moving to Memphis.
YoY change: Reno -0.4%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Reno | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 29.7" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.1" | 54.9" |
Annual temperature rises 8.9°F moving to Memphis per NOAA normals.
Memphis averages 2.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RENO WFO, NV US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Reno | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $78,448 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.47 |
Memphis households earn about 8.7% less than Reno at the median — $78,448 → $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 Nevada 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 — 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
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 92°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 — 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 far is Memphis, TN from Reno, NV?
The driving distance is 2130 mi and the route typically takes 35h 51m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Memphis more expensive than Reno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 8.7% lower than Reno (92.179 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Reno and Memphis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Memphis vs 54.5°F in Reno (8.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 29.7 in. Annual precipitation: 54.9 in vs 8.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Reno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $567,857 in Reno — a 74.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Reno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $47,540 in the Reno MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 254,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Reno to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2130 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Reno vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $78,448 in Reno — a 34.7% 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 Reno.
City profiles: Reno, NV · Memphis, TN.