Portland, ME to Nashville, TN Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Portland to Nashville typically costs $3,300–$8,500 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,203 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
|
|
|
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
Cost to move from Portland to Nashville
Moving from Portland, ME to Nashville, TN typically costs $3,300–$8,500 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,203-mile move from Portland to Nashville, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
|
2-3 bedrooms
|
4+ bedrooms
|
Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $4,866 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $4,066 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $5,887 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
Factors that impact moving costs from Portland to Nashville
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,900, but larger homes can run up to $10,700.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Portland.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($800–$2,300) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Nashville, TN to Portland, ME guide.
Best Portland to Nashville movers by type
|
Professional
|
Local
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best professional movers from Portland to Nashville
For a stress-free interstate move from Portland to Nashville, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
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
How we chose the best ME→TN movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 15 Maine moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Portland to Nashville
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Nashville runs about 25% higher for singles and 39% higher for families than Portland.
Singles spend around $3,108 in Nashville versus $2,491 in Portland; families pay $8,447 compared with $6,060.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Portland | Nashville | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,925 | $1,887 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,500 | $4,044 |
| Average home value | $542,001 | $428,678 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,171 | $79,020 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,491 | $3,108 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,060 | $8,447 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 4.5% |
| Sales tax | 5.5% | 9.75% |
| State income tax | 5.8% | 0.0% |
- Your monthly budgeting won't require significant modification when moving from Portland to Nashville, as rent prices are comparably stable.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 21% lower in Nashville than in Portland.
- Great news! You'll find the average income is about 23% higher in Nashville compared to Portland, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Plan for higher expenses in Nashville, since the cost of living for a single person is 25% more than in Portland. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Nashville, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Nashville is 39% more than it is in Portland.
- Nashville experiences an unemployment rate that is about 13% lower than that of Portland. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 77% higher in Nashville than in Portland. This means you'll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- 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.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Portland with Nashville:
| Living Expense | Portland | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $203.15 | $202.09 |
| Cell phone plan | $54.88 | $70.35 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.26 | $3.92 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.62 | $4.08 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $17.50 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $120.00 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $65.00 | $40.82 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Portland than in Nashville.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Portland than in Nashville.
- Eggs cost more in Portland than in Nashville.
- Bread costs less in Portland than in Nashville.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Portland than in Nashville.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Portland than in Nashville.
- Gym memberships cost more in Portland than in Nashville.
How life is different in Portland vs. Nashville
| Portland | Nashville | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,408 | 689,447 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 62 | 96 |
| Bike friendliness score | 68 | 72 |
| Crime index | 32.16 | 49.1 |
| Safety index | 67.84 | 50.9 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Nashville's population is about 908% greater than Portland.
- Nashville's public transportation score of 4 out of 10 is lower than Portland's score of 6.
- Nashville is more walkable than Portland with a score of 96 out of 100 vs Portland's 62 out of 100.
- With a score of 72 out of 100, Nashville is more bike-friendly than Portland, which has a score of 68 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Nashville's crime rate is higher than Portland with a score of 49.1 compared to Portland's 32.16. This means that Nashville neighborhoods are safer than 49.1% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Portland neighborhoods are safer than 32.16%.
- Nashville is considered to be less safe than Portland with a score of 50.9 vs Portland's 67.84.
- Air quality in Nashville is Good, and in Portland it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Portland to Nashville move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Tennessee moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Tennessee doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Nashville smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Nashville
Now that you've chosen Athens of the South as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Nashville to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown
- Germantown
- The Gulch
- Midtown
- Music Row
Best neighborhoods for families
- Belmont-Hillsboro
- Buena Vista
- Green Hills
- Lockeland Springs
- Oak Hill
Things to do in Nashville
After getting comfortable in your new Tennessee home, it's time to see what Nashville is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Nashville offers cultural landmarks like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, The Johnny Cash Museum, and RCA Studio B.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Centennial Park, Radnor Lake State Park, Edwin and Percy Warner Parks, and Riverfront Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Tennessee Titans (NFL)Nashville Predators (NHL)Nashville SC (MLS) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Portland to Nashville?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Portland to Nashville are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Portland are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Portland to Nashville?
Because spring and fall moves from Portland to Nashville are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Portland to Nashville take?
A move of 1,203 miles from Portland, ME to Nashville, TN generally takes two to eight days. Movers in Portland sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Nashville is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which movers in Portland offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 9 movers in Portland have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 6 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across ME, there are 13 piano movers and 7 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.