Moving from West Covina, CA to Memphis, TN
A 1781 mi cross-country move between West Covina and Memphis is 30h 36m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1781 mi · 30h 36m by car · TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 66 HIST, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 18.8% moving from West Covina to Memphis — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $852,373 in West Covina to $144,710 in Memphis, a 18.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Covina | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 54.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.1°F vs 63.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 2.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.47 |
Memphis households earn about 18.8% less than West Covina at the median — $98,570 → $51,211 on ACS 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 — 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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 far is Memphis, TN from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 1781 mi and the route typically takes 30h 36m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Memphis more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 18.8% lower than West Covina (92.179 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $98,570 in West Covina — a 48.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between West Covina and Memphis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Memphis vs 65.1°F in West Covina (1.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.9 in vs 14.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $852,373 in West Covina — a 83.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from West Covina 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 1781 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 6,185,570 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 West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA · Memphis, TN.