Moving from Richardson, TX to Knoxville, TN
It is 842 mi between Richardson and Knoxville β roughly 14h 57m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
842 mi Β· 14h 57m by car Β· TN β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock, Mesquite, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Expect about 10.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Knoxville at 92.569 vs Richardson at 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 10.2% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 55.8" |
Annual temperature drops 7.9Β°F moving to Knoxville per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 34 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.28 |
Knoxville households earn about 10.2% less than Richardson at the median β $96,257 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 Texas 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.
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
How far is Knoxville, TN from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 842 mi and the route typically takes 14h 57m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 10.2% lower than Richardson (92.569 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 16.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 842 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 Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Richardson vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 47.0% 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 Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Knoxville, TN.