Moving from Vancouver, WA to Memphis, TN
Moving from Vancouver, WA to Memphis, TN is a 2334 mi cross-country relocation β about 39h 54m of driving through 10 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.
2334 mi Β· 39h 54m by car Β· TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Wichita, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Vancouver | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 105.421 to 92.179, putting Memphis roughly 12.6% below Vancouver on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Memphis: 12.6% below Vancouver on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Vancouver -0.7%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Vancouver | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 54.9" |
Memphis runs 9.4Β°F warmer on the annual average (54.0Β°F vs 63.4Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Light snow year: Memphis gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: VANCOUVER PEARSON AP, WA US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Vancouver | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,696 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $78,156 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Memphis is 12.6% below Vancouver ($78,156 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 Washington 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 household income compare in Vancouver vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $78,156 in Vancouver β a 34.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Vancouver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $55,940 in the Vancouver MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Memphis, TN from Vancouver, WA?
The driving distance is 2334 mi and the route typically takes 39h 54m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Memphis more expensive than Vancouver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 12.6% lower than Vancouver (92.179 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Vancouver to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2334 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Vancouver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $509,318 in Vancouver β a 71.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Vancouver.
City profiles: Vancouver, WA Β· Memphis, TN.