Portland, ME to Chattanooga, TN Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Portland to Chattanooga typically costs $3,400–$8,300 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,135 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Portland to Chattanooga
Moving from Portland, ME to Chattanooga, TN typically costs $3,400–$8,300 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,135-mile move from Portland to Chattanooga, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- American Van Lines recently quoted $3,274 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $6,684 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- Mayflower Transit recently quoted $4,704 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 13, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Feb 09, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 15, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 07, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 06, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 01, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 31, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 04, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 03, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 01, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Portland to Chattanooga
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $2,600, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $10,400.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Portland, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($900–$2,200) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Chattanooga, TN to Portland, ME guide.
Best Portland to Chattanooga movers by type
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Best professional movers from Portland to Chattanooga
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Portland to Chattanooga, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best ME→TN movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 15 Maine moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Portland to Chattanooga
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Chattanooga runs about 32% higher for singles and -28% higher for families than Portland.
Singles spend around $3,300 in Chattanooga versus $2,491 in Portland; families pay $4,350 compared with $6,060.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Portland | Chattanooga | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,925 | $1,517 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,500 | $3,138 |
| Average home value | $542,001 | $302,565 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,171 | $60,164 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,491 | $3,300 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,060 | $4,350 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| Sales tax | 5.5% | 9.25% |
| State income tax | 5.8% | 0.0% |
- If you're heading to Chattanooga from Portland, you'll find that rent is roughly 26% cheaper, potentially boosting your monthly savings.
- Your budget can breathe easier with home prices being close to 44% less in Chattanooga than in Portland.
- Consider checking your finances before the transition. The average income is approximately 6% lower in Chattanooga compared to Portland.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Chattanooga, since the cost of living for a single person in Chattanooga is 32% higher than in Portland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- Choosing to move to Chattanooga can significantly lower your family's regular expenses, such as utilities, transport, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 28% less than in Portland.
- In Chattanooga, the unemployment rate is approximately 8% higher than in Portland, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
- Sales taxes rise by 68% in Chattanooga over Portland, leading to heightened expenses for everyday essentials.
- Tennessee has no income tax, meaning you keep more of your gross income, which can be a major advantage for salaried workers, freelancers, and retirees with taxable income.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Portland and Chattanooga:
| Living Expense | Portland | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $203.15 | $160.78 |
| Cell phone plan | $54.88 | $56.00 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.26 | $3.92 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.62 | $3.58 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $16.50 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $120.00 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $65.00 | $40.00 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Portland than in Chattanooga.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Portland than in Chattanooga.
- Eggs cost more in Portland than in Chattanooga.
- Bread is more expensive in Portland than in Chattanooga.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Portland than in Chattanooga.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Portland than in Chattanooga.
- Gym memberships cost more in Portland than in Chattanooga.
How life is different in Portland vs. Chattanooga
| Portland | Chattanooga | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,408 | 181,099 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 3 |
| Walkability score | 62 | 29 |
| Bike friendliness score | 68 | 35 |
| Crime index | 32.16 | 53.89 |
| Safety index | 67.84 | 46.11 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Chattanooga's population is about 165% greater than Portland.
- Chattanooga's public transportation score of 3 out of 10 is lower than Portland's score of 6.
- Chattanooga is less walkable than Portland with a score of 29 out of 100 vs Portland's 62 out of 100.
- Chattanooga has a bike-friendliness score of 35 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Portland, which has a score of 68.
- Chattanooga's crime rate is higher than Portland with a score of 53.89 compared to Portland's 32.16. This means that Chattanooga neighborhoods are safer than 53.89% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Portland neighborhoods are safer than 32.16%.
- Chattanooga is considered to be less safe than Portland with a score of 46.11 vs Portland's 67.84.
- Air quality in Chattanooga is Good, and in Portland it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Portland to Chattanooga move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Tennessee moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Tennessee doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Chattanooga. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. When it comes to movers' insurance in Tennessee, most moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra charge. This basic coverage extends to 60 cents per pound per item. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Additionally, exploring third-party insurance providers is a viable choice for tailored plans. Prioritize understanding coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Tennessee.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Chattanooga
Now that you've decided to make the move to Scenic City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Chattanooga.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Southside
- Martin Luther King
- Fort Wood
- Lookout Mountain
- West Village
Best neighborhoods for families
- North Shore
- St. Elmo
- Lookout Mountain
- Highland Park
- Orchard Knob
Things to do in Chattanooga
Once you're settled into your new home in Tennessee, it's time to get out and discover what Chattanooga has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Chattanooga, such as the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Creative Discovery Museum, Coker Museum - Honest Charley, and Hunter Museum of American Art.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Coolidge Park Tennessee, Riverpark Ross's Landing Park, Enterprise South Nature Park, and Chickamauga Dam — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Chattanooga Lookouts (Southern League)Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL League One) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Portland to Chattanooga?
The best time to move from Portland to Chattanooga is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Portland.
When is the cheapest time to move from Portland to Chattanooga?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Portland to Chattanooga, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Portland to Chattanooga take?
Moving from Portland, ME to Chattanooga, TN covers 1,135 miles and usually takes two to eight days. Need to move faster? Some Portland movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Chattanooga.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Portland?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 9 movers in Portland advertise piano moving expertise. 6 movers in Portland provide antique moving services. State totals show 13 piano movers and 7 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
