Fact Checked by: Quick answer: For a 1,016-mile move from Philadelphia to Memphis, expect to spend around $920–$7,133 and two to eight days in transit. Cost and time vary by move size, date, and whether you're going DIY or using a moving company.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Memphis to Philadelphia guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Philadelphia to Memphis
Choosing a long-distance mover for your trip from Philadelphia to Memphis can be tough. With so many options, it's easy to feel overwhelmed about who you can truly count on.
Save yourself the hassle of sorting through countless moving companies — we've already narrowed down the best for you. Our favorites earned their spots thanks to rave reviews, budget-friendly prices, and versatile services to suit any type of move.
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Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your PA to TN move
Local moving companies in Philadelphia
- Anchor Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Transtar Moving Systems: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 125550
Years in Business: 51
DOT #: 125550
Alternate Names: Anchor Moving & Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 39PC00058806
Years in Business: 63
DOT #: 939629
Alternate Names: A Action Family Moving Company, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 39PM00121400
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 902281
Alternate Names: All My Sons of New Jersey LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 8922046
Years in Business: 19
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: TMT MISSION 1 LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 2878240
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhop Moving Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from Philadelphia to Memphis?
Philadelphia movers charge $130 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 | $1,486 - $5,936 | $1,085 - $2,470 | $820 - $1,571 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,032 - $7,133 | $1,873 - $3,874 | $920 - $1,885 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,115 - $9,724 | $2,401 - $5,097 | $1,134 - $2,340 |
Cost to hire movers from Pennsylvania to Tennessee
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Pennsylvania to Tennessee, you can expect to spend between $1,486 and $5,936. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $3,032 to $7,133 on the same route (PA to TN). Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from Pennsylvania to Tennessee typically runs between $5,115 and $9,724.
Cost of moving containers from Pennsylvania to Tennessee
If you’re relocating from Pennsylvania to Tennessee, you’ll typically spend between $1,085 and $2,470 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $1,873 up to $3,874. If you’re moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $2,401 and $5,097. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Exploree our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Pennsylvania.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Pennsylvania to Tennessee
Looking to save money? Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option. Just keep in mind that you’ll handle all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving out of a studio or one-bedroom and renting a truck, plan to spend between $820 and $1,571. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $920 and $1,885. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $1,134 and $2,340.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Philadelphia to Memphis
What to know before moving from Philadelphia to Memphis
Moving from Philadelphia to Memphis means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Philadelphia than in Memphis, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Philadelphia compares to Memphis so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Philadelphia | Memphis | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,695 | $1,299 |
| Average home value | $216,914 | $143,715 |
| Average income (per capita) | $70,746 | $48,090 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,541 | $1,842 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,190 | $4,402 |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 8.0% |
| Sales tax | 8.0% | 9.75% |
| State income tax | 3.07% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Memphis are 23% lower than in Philadelphia, 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 Memphis.
Home prices in Memphis are 33.7% lower than in Philadelphia. - Income in Memphis is 32.0% lower than in Philadelphia, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Memphis — including FedEx, AutoZone, and International Paper — may pay more.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Memphis. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 27.5% lower than in Philadelphia.
- A move to Memphis can help cut down on a family’s routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 28.9% less than what it costs in Philadelphia.
- The unemployment rate in Memphis is 24.53% lower than in Philadelphia.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Memphis, since its sales taxes are 21.88% higher than what you are paying in Philadelphia.
- One perk of moving to Memphis is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Philadelphia.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,174.73 in Memphis to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Philadelphia.
How life is different in Philadelphia vs. Memphis
| Memphis | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 633,104 | 1,603,797 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 4 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 35 | 75 |
| Bike friendliness score | 41 | 67 |
| Crime Index | 77.49 | 66.09 |
| Safety Index | 22.51 | 33.91 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Memphis might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 61% less than Philadelphia.
- Getting around Memphis without a car might be more difficult than in Philadelphia. Memphis has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Philadelphia is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Memphis neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Philadelphia. Based on its score of 35 out of 100, Memphis isn't as walkable as Philadelphia, which has a score of 75 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Memphis, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Philadelphia. While Philadelphia has a bike-friendliness score of 67 out of 100, Memphis earned a 41. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- The crime rate in Memphis is higher than in Philadelphia, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 77.49 in Memphis, it is 66.09 in Philadelphia. 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 Memphis. With a crime index of 22.51, Memphis ranks lower in overall safety than Philadelphia, whose index is 33.91. 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.
- The air quality in Memphis and Philadelphia is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Philadelphia vs. Memphis move
- Weather: Winter weather comes alternately from the upper Great Plains and the Gulf of Mexico, which can lead to drastic swings in temperature. Summer weather may come from Texas (very hot and humid) or the Gulf (hot and very humid). Severe thunderstorms can occur at any time of the year though mainly during the spring months. Large hail, strong winds, flooding and frequent lightning can accompany these storms. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid inclement weather during your move.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Tennessee does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Memphis. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you\'ve got everything covered.
Where to live in Memphis
Now that you've decided to make the move to Bluff City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Memphis.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Binghampton
- Cooper-Young
- Crosstown
- Downtown
- Midtown
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bartlett
- Cordova
- East Memphis
- Germantown
- River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral
Things to do in Memphis
Once you're settled into your new home in Tennessee, it's time to get out and discover what Memphis has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Memphis is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Graceland, National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, and Slave Haven / Burkle Estate Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Shelby Farms Park, Mud Island River Park, Tom Lee Park, and Levitt Shell — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.'
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) and Memphis Hustle (NBA G League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia to Memphis?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Philadelphia to Memphis You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Philadelphia.
When is the cheapest time to move from Philadelphia to Memphis?
Because spring and fall moves from Philadelphia to Memphis are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Philadelphia to Memphis take?
The 1,016-mile journey from Philadelphia, PA to Memphis, TN, typically takes two to eight days. Some movers in Philadelphia offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Memphis.
