Moving from San Diego, CA to Memphis, TN
Moving from San Diego, CA to Memphis, TN is a 1815 mi cross-country relocation β about 31h 11m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1815 mi Β· 31h 11m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, El Cajon |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Diego | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Memphis is 17.6% cheaper than San Diego overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Memphis is 17.6% below San Diego β $1,001,265 vs $144,710 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Diego -3.2%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Diego | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 54.9" |
Annual average temperatures in San Diego (64.1Β°F) and Memphis (63.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Memphis averages 2.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN DIEGO MONTGOMERY FLD, CA US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Diego | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $104,321 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 36 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Memphis is 17.6% below San Diego ($104,321 vs $51,211, ACS 5-year 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 California 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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Memphis average 92Β°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 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 does the job market in Memphis compare to San Diego?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $53,090 in the San Diego MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Diego to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1815 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Memphis more expensive than San Diego?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 17.6% lower than San Diego (92.179 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Diego vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $104,321 in San Diego β a 50.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Memphis, TN from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance is 1815 mi and the route typically takes 31h 11m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to San Diego?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $1,001,265 in San Diego β a 85.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Diego.
City profiles: San Diego, CA Β· Memphis, TN.