$1,312 Movers From Illinois to Tennessee

The cost to move from Illinois to Tennessee averages from $556 to $5,946 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 Illinois 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 Illinois guide.

Moving from Illinois to Tennessee resources

Moving 503 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best Illinois to Tennessee movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Illinois 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 Illinois to Tennessee.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
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(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
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(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
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(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

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 Illinois to Tennessee?

The table below lays out average cost ranges when moving from Illinois to Tennessee for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,312 - $3,741 $862 - $1,936 $491 - $938
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,304 - $5,946 $1,514 - $2,751 $556 - $1,124
4+ bedrooms $4,544 - $9,712 $2,054 - $3,685 $658 - $1,395
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 503 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 Illinois moving costs. The cost to move from Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois to Tennessee?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Illinois to Tennessee will cost between $1,312 to $3,741. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IL to TN will range from $2,304 to $5,946, and a large move from Illinois to Tennessee will cost from $4,544 to $9,712.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Illinois to Tennessee?

Moving containers from Illinois to Tennessee will cost you $862 to $1,936 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,514 to $2,751. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,054 to $3,685. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Illinois.

How much is a moving truck from Illinois 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 $491 to $938. A larger move will cost $556 to $1,124, and a 4+ bedroom move from Illinois to Tennessee costs from $658 to $1,395.

Is moving from Illinois to Tennessee a good idea?

If you’re moving to Tennessee from Illinois, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of Living: Illinois vs Tennessee

Illinois Tennessee
Average rent cost $1,038 $897
Average home cost $249,224 $309,913
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $64,035
Cost of Living Index 90 0
Unemployment rate 4.6% 3.5%
Average Sales Tax 8.82% 9.55%
State Income Tax 4.95% 0.0%
  • Rent is about 14% less expensive in Tennessee than in Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 24.4% higher in Tennessee than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about 18.4% lower in Tennessee than in Illinois.
  • Cost of living is 100.0% lower in Tennessee than in Illinois.
  • Tennessee has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 23.9%.
  • Sales taxes are 8.28% higher in Tennessee than in Illinois.
  • Income taxes are 100.00% lower in Tennessee than in Illinois.

How is life different in Tennessee from Illinois?

Tennessee Illinois
Population 7,051,339 12,582,032
Political leaning Republican 61-37 Democrat 58-41
Summer High 88ºF 86ºF
Winter Low 27ºF 17ºF
Annual Rain 53" 40"
Annual Snow 5" 22"
Crime Index 29.59 18.79
  • The population of Tennessee is approximately 44% lower than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, Tennessee voted Republican and Illinois voted Democrat.
  • The average high in the summertime in Tennessee is 88ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Tennessee reaches the temperature of 27ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about 53 inches of annual rainfall in Tennessee vs 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In Tennessee, it snows about 5 inches annually vs 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
  • Tennessee has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 29.59 vs 18.79.

Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. Tennessee:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Illinois vs Tennessee side-by-side.

Pros of living in Illinois Pros of living in Tennessee
Home of Chicago Abundant recreational opportunities
Ample economic opportunity No income taxes
Bountiful recreational opportunities Legendary music scene
Delicious food Natural beauty and parks galore
World-class sports culture Delicious southern comfort food

Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. Tennessee:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Illinois for Tennessee.

Cons of living in Illinois Cons of living in Tennessee
Harsh winter weather Tendency for severe weather
Bad traffic Oppressive summer heat and humidity
High crime rate Abundant presence of nuclear power plants
Dull landscape Traffic congestion
Strict 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 Illinois movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Alliance Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008
(847) 378-4949
H2H Movers Inc Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
4250 N Marine Dr Aparment #1136, Chicago, IL, 60613
(773) 236-8797

Visit our Best Movers in Illinois 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 Illinois to Tennessee

What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to Tennessee?

The cheapest way to move from Illinois 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 Illinois to Tennessee?

The main reasons people are moving from Illinois to Tennessee are the amazing upsides of living in Tennessee such as abundant recreational opportunities and no income taxes.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Tennessee