Moving from St. Louis, MO to Knoxville, TN
Moving from St. Louis, MO to Knoxville, TN covers 487 mi and about 8h 55m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
487 mi Β· 8h 55m by car Β· MO β IL β KY β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β KY β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 40, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Clarksville, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Knoxville and St. Louis is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 55.8" |
Annual average temperatures in St. Louis (58.0Β°F) and Knoxville (57.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.28 |
Median household income in Knoxville is 2.6% below St. Louis ($55,279 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 Missouri 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees 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
How far is Knoxville, TN from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 487 mi and the route typically takes 8h 55m via I 24 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 487 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 St. Louis vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 7.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Knoxville more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 2.6% lower than St. Louis (92.569 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Knoxville, TN.