($1,428) Moving From California to Tennessee
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Tennessee ranges from $1,433 to $8,261 and takes six-seventeen days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to Tennessee separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Tennessee to California guide.
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The best California to Tennessee movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Tennessee is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to Tennessee:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- North American Van Lines: Best customized plans
- JK Moving Services: Best for high-end moves
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
- White-glove handling of fragile & high-end items
- Guaranteed pickup & delivery
- $250 deposit for interstate moves
- Mobile app with 24/7 customer service
- Financing available
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328 |
| Air 1 Moving & Storage | Get A Quote |
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9556 Cozycroft Ave, Chatsworth, CA, 91311 (866) 485-1030 |
| Luigy's Moving & Storage | Get A Quote |
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5550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94112 (415) 413-4646 |
Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from California to Tennessee?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Tennessee for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,428 - $5,554 | $1,350 - $3,088 | $1,390 - $2,683 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,739 - $8,261 | $2,331 - $4,671 | $1,433 - $2,890 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,945 - $12,103 | $3,262 - $6,446 | $1,736 - $3,840 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,162 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to TN
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Tennessee will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
How much does it cost to hire movers from California to Tennessee?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Tennessee will cost between $1,428 and $5,554. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to TN will range from $3,739 to $8,261, and a large move from California to Tennessee will cost from $6,945 to $12,103.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Tennessee?
Moving containers from California to Tennessee will cost you $1,350 to $3,088 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,331 to $4,671. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,262 to $6,446. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.
How much is a moving truck from California to Tennessee?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$1,390 to $2,683.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,433 to $2,890,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Tennessee costs from
$1,736 to $3,840.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to Tennessee a good idea?
If you’re moving to Tennessee from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Tennessee
| California | Tennessee | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,586 | $897 |
| Average home cost | $746,055 | $309,913 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $64,035 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 0 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 3.5% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 9.55% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- Rent is about 43% less expensive in Tennessee than in California.
- Home prices are about 58% lower in Tennessee than in California.
- The average income is about 30% lower in Tennessee than in California.
- Cost of living is 100% lower in Tennessee than in California.
- Tennessee has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 27%.
- Sales taxes are 10% higher in Tennessee than in California.
- Income taxes are 100% lower in Tennessee than in California.
How does life in Tennessee differ from California?
| Tennessee | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,051,339 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Republican 61-37 | Democratic 63-34 |
| Summer high | 88ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 27ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 53" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 5" | 7" |
| Crime index | 29.59 | 27.88 |
- The population of Tennessee is approximately 82% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Tennessee voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Tennessee is 88ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Tennessee reaches the temperature of 27ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about fifty-three inches of annual rainfall in Tennessee versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In Tennessee, it snows about five inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- Tennessee has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 29.59 vs 27.88.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Tennessee
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus Tennessee side by side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Abundant recreational opportunities |
| Pleasant weather | No income taxes |
| Abundant recreational options | Legendary music scene |
| High quality of life | Natural beauty and parks galore |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Delicious southern comfort food |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Tennessee
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for Tennessee.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Tennessee |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Tendency for severe weather |
| Heavy tax burdens | Oppressive summer heat and humidity |
| Natural disasters | Abundant presence of nuclear power plants |
| Terrible traffic | Traffic congestion |
| Strange laws | High urban crime rates |
What to know before your move to Tennessee
- Weather: Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.
- HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Tennessee moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Tennessee does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Tennessee. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Tennessee
While you’re in Tennessee, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- The Smokies: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Elvis Presley's Graceland
- Grand Ole Opry House and Opry Museum
- Tennessee Aquarium
- Dollywood
- The Hermitage: President Andrew Jackson's Home
- Memphis Zoo and Aquarium
- Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- Titanic Museum
- Ruby Falls
- Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area
- The Parthenon
- American Museum of Science and Energy
- Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
- Lookout Mountain
- Beale Street
- The Lost Sea Adventure
- Bell Witch Cave
- Ryman Auditorium
- Crystal Shrine Grotto
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Tennessee?
The cheapest way to move from California to Tennessee is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from California to Tennessee?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Tennessee are the amazing upsides of living in Tennessee such as abundant recreational opportunities and no income taxes.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Tennessee?
It is generally cheaper to live in Tennessee than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Tennessee, with average rent about 43% less and home prices 58.5% lower than in California. Tennessee has no income tax.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Tennessee?
You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Tennessee you live For example, larger cities like Alcoa and Arlington will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
