Quick answer: A typical 1,988-mile move from San Diego to Nashville runs $1,487–$9,568 and takes five to 16 days. Price and timing vary based on how much stuff you are moving, move date, and choice of DIY or full-service.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Nashville to San Diego guide.
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Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from San Diego to Nashville
Picking a long-distance moving company for your journey from San Diego to Nashville isn't always easy. With so many choices out there, figuring out who you can really rely on can feel overwhelming.
No need to waste hours comparing moving companies — we've done the work for you. Our top picks stand out for their glowing reviews, affordable rates, and wide range of services to fit any move.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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How we chose the best moving companies for your CA to TN move
The best local movers servicing San Diego to Nashville moves
Finding a trusted local moving company in San Diego that offers long-distance services to Nashville can be a challenge. With so many movers advertising similar services, it's tough to know who really delivers on quality.
Good news — we've done the homework for you. Our team reviewed top local movers in San Diego who handle long-distance moves, evaluating them based on pricing, service offerings, and customer satisfaction.
Here are the best local movers for long-distance moves from San Diego to Nashville.
- One Stop Moving & Storage: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Stella Moving & Delivery: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Best California Movers: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Republic Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Cube Moving and Storage Inc: 4.66 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 0190616
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 1956864
Alternate Names: One Stop Moving & Storage Inc, San Diego Expert Movers, Quick San Diego Movers, Coastal Movers, Manpower Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 0191958
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3299407
Alternate Names: Stella Moving & Delivery, The Remarkable Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: T0192283
Pricing: $109/hr
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3489907
Alternate Names: Best California Movers & Storage, An Moving Forward
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 0190491
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 3369820
Alternate Names: Lovejoy's Family Moving, Republic Relocation Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 0190874
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2764870
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from San Diego to Nashville?
San Diego movers charge $200 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,530 - $5,831 | $1,381 - $3,417 | $1,360 - $2,898 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,223 - $9,568 | $2,587 - $5,267 | $1,487 - $3,284 |
4+ bedrooms | $7,892 - $14,098 | $3,508 - $7,033 | $2,013 - $3,902 |
Cost to hire movers from California to Tennessee
Planning a move from California to Tennessee? For a studio or one-bedroom, you'll likely pay between $1,530 and $5,831. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $4,223 and $9,568 for the same journey (CA to TN). Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $7,892 to $14,098.
Cost of moving containers from California to Tennessee
If you're moving from California to Tennessee, expect to pay between $1,381 and $3,417 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $2,587 up to $5,267. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $3,508 and $7,033. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from California.
Cost of moving truck rentals 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 $1,360 to $2,898. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,487 to $3,284, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Tennessee costs around $2,013 to $3,902.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Key factors that impact the cost of your San Diego to Nashville move
What to know before moving from San Diego to Nashville
Moving from San Diego to Nashville means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in San Diego than in Nashville, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how San Diego compares to Nashville so you know what to expect before you relocate:
San Diego | Nashville | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $2,881 | $1,971 |
Average home value | $1,003,444 | $428,678 |
Average income (per capita) | $72,963 | $79,020 |
Cost of living (single person) | $3,346 | $3,108 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,719 | $8,447 |
Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 4.5% |
Sales tax | 7.75% | 9.75% |
State income tax | 13.3% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Nashville are 32% lower than in San Diego, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Nashville.
Home prices in Nashville are 57.3% lower than in San Diego. - You're likely to make a higher income living in Nashville, where incomes are, on average, 8.3% higher than in San Diego. Major employers in Nashville include HCA Healthcare, Access Control Systems, and Bridgestone.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Nashville. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 7.1% lower than in San Diego.
- If you're moving your family to Nashville, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Nashville is 9.4% higher than in San Diego.
- The unemployment rate in Nashville is 31.82% lower than in San Diego.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Nashville, since its sales taxes are 25.81% higher than what you are paying in San Diego.
- One perk of moving to Nashville is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in San Diego.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,786.61 in Nashville to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Diego.
How life is different in San Diego vs. Nashville
Nashville | San Diego | |
---|---|---|
Population | 689,447 | 1,386,932 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 4 | 6 |
Walkability score | 96 | 53 |
Bike friendliness score | 72 | 43 |
Crime Index | 49.1 | 39.83 |
Safety Index | 50.9 | 60.17 |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Nashville might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 50% less than San Diego.
- Getting around Nashville without a car might be more difficult than in San Diego. Nashville has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas San Diego is ranked 6. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Living in Nashville means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in San Diego. Nashville is considered more walkable than San Diego, with a score of 96 out of 100 versus 53 out of 100 in San Diego. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Nashville is considered more bike-friendly than San Diego in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Nashville has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, while San Diego is rated as 43 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Nashville is higher than in San Diego, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 49.1 in Nashville, it is 39.83 in San Diego. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Nashville. With a crime index of 50.9, Nashville ranks lower in overall safety than San Diego, whose index is 60.17. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- You can breathe easy knowing that Nashville has better air quality than in San Diego. Nashville has Good air quality, compared to moderate in San Diego. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.
Other things to consider for your San Diego vs. Nashville move
- Weather: Nashville has humid summers and generally cool winters typical of the Upper South. Spring and fall are prone to severe thunderstorms, which may bring tornadoes, large hail, flash floods, and damaging wind. Be sure to check your weather app before your move to avoid inclement weather.
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- 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 check the status of a Tennessee moving license 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: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Nashville. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. 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
Once you're settled into your new home in Tennessee, it's time to get out and discover what Nashville has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Nashville features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, The Johnny Cash Museum, RCA Studio B, and Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Centennial Park, Radnor Lake State Park, Edwin and Percy Warner Parks, and Riverfront Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Tennessee Titans (NFL), Nashville Predators (NHL), or Nashville SC (MLS) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from San Diego to Nashville?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from San Diego to Nashville are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in San Diego. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Diego to Nashville?
Because most people are moving from San Diego to Nashville in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from San Diego to Nashville take?
Moving from San Diego, CA to Nashville, TN covers 1,988 miles and usually takes five to 16 days Need to move faster? Some San Diego movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Nashville.