Moving from St. Louis, MO to Memphis, TN
It is a 292 mi drive, roughly 5h 21m, between St. Louis, MO and Memphis, TN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
292 mi · 5h 21m by car · TN → AR → MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 78, I 40 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis —, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | St. Louis | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 54.9" |
Annual temperature rises 5.4°F moving to Memphis per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Memphis gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.47 |
Households in Memphis earn about 3.1% less at the median — 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 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 — 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.
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 does the job market in Memphis compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis 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 292 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Memphis more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 3.1% lower than St. Louis (92.179 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Memphis, TN from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 292 mi and the route typically takes 5h 21m via I 55 and US 78. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $55,279 in St. Louis — a 7.4% 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO · Memphis, TN.