$1,423 Movers From California to Tennessee
Fact Checked by: The cost to move from California to Tennessee averages from $1,578 to $8,571 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Tennessee to California guide.
Moving from California to Tennessee resources
- Best California to Tennessee movers: We’ve handpicked the best moving companies from California to Tennessee.
- How much do movers cost?: Use our moving cost calculator to get a more accurate estimate on moving expenses.
- Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
- California to Tennessee car shippers: Moving your car? Use a company that prioritizes professionalism, cares for your vehicle, and is experienced.
Moving 2,159 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.
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: Best industry reputation
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best upfront pricing
- North American Van Lines: Best for complex moves
- JK Moving Services: Best for high-end moves
|
|
|
|
|
|
rating
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
How much does it cost to move from California to Tennessee?
The table below lays out average cost ranges when moving 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 | $1,423 - $6,054 | $1,443 - $3,576 | $1,472 - $2,676 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,916 - $8,571 | $2,442 - $5,248 | $1,578 - $3,383 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,725 - $13,198 | $3,522 - $6,680 | $1,991 - $3,863 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,159 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.
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 $1,423 to $6,054. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to TN will range from $3,916 to $8,571, and a large move from California to Tennessee will cost from $7,725 to $13,198.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Tennessee?
Moving containers from California to Tennessee will cost you $1,443 to $3,576 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,442 to $5,248. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,522 to $6,680. 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; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:
Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,472 to $2,676. A larger move will cost $1,578 to $3,383, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to Tennessee costs from $1,991 to $3,863.
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 58.5% lower in Tennessee than in California.
- The average income is about 30.3% lower in Tennessee than in California.
- Cost of living is 100.0% lower in Tennessee than in California.
- Tennessee has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 27.1%.
- Sales taxes are 10.02% higher in Tennessee than in California.
- Income taxes are 100.00% lower in Tennessee than in California.
How is life different in Tennessee 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 53 inches of annual rainfall in Tennessee vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In Tennessee, it snows about 5 inches annually vs 7 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 vs 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, these are the 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 |
Considerations for moving 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Tennessee. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
|
Get A Quote |
|
3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328 |
| Maison Moving | Get A Quote |
|
1371 Santa Fe Dr., Tustin, CA, 92780 (800) 832-5950 |
| Two Men and a Truck | Get A Quote |
|
8362 Galena Ave, Sacramento, CA, 95828 (916) 596-9374 |
Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
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 about moving from California to Tennessee
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.
