Best overall value
Factors affecting the cost of moving from FL to TN
There are many factors that influence Florida moving costs. The cost to move from Florida 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 Florida 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.
What to know before moving from FL to TN
If you’re moving to Tennessee from Florida, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Florida vs. Tennessee
| Florida | Tennessee | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,444 | $1,047 |
| Average home cost | $392,176 | $319,208 |
| Average income (per capita) | $67,917 | $64,035 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 0 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% | 3.3% |
| Average Sales Tax | 7.08% | 9.55% |
| State Income Tax | 0.0% | 0.0% |
- Rent is about 27% less expensive in Tennessee than in Florida.
- Home prices are about 19% lower in Tennessee than in Florida.
- The average income is about 6% lower in Tennessee than in Florida.
- Cost of living is 100% lower in Tennessee than in Florida.
- Tennessee has a higher unemployment rate than Florida by about 14%.
- Sales taxes are 35% higher in Tennessee than in Florida.
- Tennessee has no income tax.
How life is different in Tennessee vs. Florida
| Tennessee | Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,126,489 | 22,610,726 |
| Political leaning | Republican 64-36 | Republican 51-48 |
| Summer high | 88ºF | 91ºF |
| Winter low | 27ºF | 49ºF |
| Annual rain | 53" | 55" |
| Annual snow | 5" | 0" |
| Crime index | 29.24 | 21.39 |
- The population of Tennessee is approximately 68% lower than the population of Florida.
- In the last presidential election, Tennessee voted Republican and Florida voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Tennessee is 88ºF and in Florida, it’s 91ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Tennessee reaches the temperature of 27ºF and Florida gets down to 49ºF.
- You can expect about 53 inches of annual rainfall in Tennessee versus 55 inches of rainfall in Florida.
- In Tennessee, it snows about 5 inches annually versus 0 inches of snow in Florida.
- Tennessee has a higher crime rate than Florida with a crime index of 29.24 vs. 21.39.
Comparing the pros of Florida vs. Tennessee
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Tennessee compared to Florida.
| Pros of living in Florida | Pros of living in Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Fantastic weather | Abundant recreational opportunities |
| Abundant water recreational activities | No income taxes |
| Ample economic opportunity | Legendary music scene |
| World-leading entertainment | Natural beauty and parks galore |
| Beautiful flora and fauna | Delicious southern comfort food |
Comparing the cons of living in Florida vs. Tennessee
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Florida for Tennessee.
| Cons of living in Florida | Cons of living in Tennessee |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Tendency for severe weather |
| Poor healthcare | Oppressive summer heat and humidity |
| Natural disasters | Abundant presence of nuclear power plants |
| Heat and humidity | Traffic congestion |
| High crime rate | High urban crime rates |
Other things to consider for your Florida to Tennessee move
- 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 Florida to Tennessee?
Hiring a full-service Florida moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
Do movers transport your car from Florida to Tennessee?
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 Florida to Tennessee separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Florida to Tennessee?
The main reasons people are moving from Florida 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 Florida or Tennessee?
It is generally cheaper to live in Tennessee than in Florida. Housing is more affordable in Tennessee, with average rent about 28% less and home prices 18.6% lower than in Florida.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Tennessee?
You should make approximately $63,555 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Tennessee. The cost of living in Tennessee is approximately $2,475 per month for an individual and $6,425 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 Nashville and Memphis will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
