Factors affecting the cost of moving from KY to TN
There are many factors that influence
Kentucky moving costs.
The cost to move from Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 KY to TN
If you’re moving to Tennessee from Kentucky, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Kentucky vs. Tennessee
|
Kentucky |
Tennessee |
Average rent cost |
$902 |
$1,047 |
Average home cost |
$212,088 |
$319,208 |
Average income (per capita) |
$60,183 |
$64,035 |
Cost of Living Index |
93 |
0 |
Unemployment rate |
5.0% |
3.3% |
Average Sales Tax |
6.0% |
9.55% |
State Income Tax |
4.0% |
0.0% |
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Rent is about 16% more expensive in Tennessee than in Kentucky.
-
Home prices are about 51% higher in Tennessee than in Kentucky.
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The average income is about 6% higher in Tennessee than in Kentucky.
-
Cost of living is 100% lower in Tennessee than in Kentucky.
-
Tennessee has a lower unemployment rate than Kentucky by about 34%.
-
Sales taxes are 59% higher in Tennessee than in Kentucky.
-
Tennessee has no income tax.
How life is different in Tennessee vs. Kentucky
|
Tennessee |
Kentucky |
Population |
7,126,489 |
4,526,154 |
Political leaning |
Republican 64-36 |
Republican 64.6-33.9 |
Summer high |
88ºF |
87ºF |
Winter low |
27ºF |
24ºF |
Annual rain |
53" |
48" |
Annual snow |
5" |
11" |
Crime index |
29.24 |
16.63 |
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The population of Tennessee is approximately 57% greater than the population of Kentucky.
-
In the last presidential election, Tennessee voted Republican and Kentucky voted Republican.
-
The average high in the summertime in Tennessee is 88ºF
and in Kentucky, it’s 87ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Tennessee reaches the temperature of 27ºF
and Kentucky gets down to 24ºF.
-
You can expect about 53 inches of annual rainfall in Tennessee versus 48 inches of rainfall in Kentucky.
-
In Tennessee, it snows about 5 inches annually
versus 11 inches of snow in Kentucky.
-
Tennessee has a higher crime rate than Kentucky with a crime index
of 29.24 vs. 16.63.
Comparing the pros of Kentucky 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 Kentucky.
Pros of living in Kentucky |
Pros of living in Tennessee |
Low cost of living |
Abundant recreational opportunities |
Abundant outdoor adventures |
No income taxes |
Delicious food and drink |
Legendary music scene |
Horse racing |
Natural beauty and parks galore |
Four season weather |
Delicious southern comfort food |
Comparing the cons of living in Kentucky 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 Kentucky for Tennessee.
Cons of living in Kentucky |
Cons of living in Tennessee |
Extreme weather |
Tendency for severe weather |
Low diversity |
Oppressive summer heat and humidity |
Poor air quality |
Abundant presence of nuclear power plants |
Poor infrastructure |
Traffic congestion |
Poor education system |
High urban crime rates |
Other things to consider for your Kentucky 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.
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Moving permits:
Tennessee does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
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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.
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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.
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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 Kentucky to Tennessee?
Do movers transport your car from Kentucky 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 Kentucky to Tennessee
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Kentucky to Tennessee?
The main reasons people are moving from Kentucky 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 Kentucky or Tennessee?
It is generally cheaper to live in Kentucky than in Tennessee.
Housing
is much more affordable in Kentucky,
with average rent about 14% less
and home prices 34% lower than in Tennessee.
Tennessee has no income tax.
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.
Helpful moving resources