Knoxville to Chattanooga Movers & Costs (2026)
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The cost to move from Knoxville to Chattanooga, TN is $117 - $4,453 for the ~111-mile route, depending on home size and whether you hire full-service movers or go the DIY route.
Local movers such as College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving, moveBuddha's top-rated local mover for this route at 4.64 out of 5 stars across 277 verified customer reviews, bill hourly at an average of $113/hr per mover, with a typical 2 - 3 hour minimum and round-trip drive time added.
Use moveBuddha's cost calculator to compare specific quotes for your move.
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September availability is going fast in Knoxville
Summer is the busiest time to move. Prices run 20 - 30% above the annual average and movers fill weeks in advance. Book now to secure your preferred date.
What are the best ways to move from Knoxville to Chattanooga?
Did you know: Intrastate moves like Knoxville to Chattanooga are regulated by Tennessee law instead of federal DOT rules, so make sure your mover holds a valid Tennessee intrastate authority, not just a USDOT number.
This is a local move, typically billed hourly by Tennessee companies. A local or regional mover usually means faster scheduling, same-day or next-day delivery, and competitive rates, though a national carrier is still an option for larger homes or complex logistics.
For full-service moves, we recommend College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.64/5) as the top local pick, followed by Gouffon Moving & Storage (4.64/5). Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is also available for full-service or larger-home moves.
Here's a closer look at each moving option:
Did you know: Most Knoxville to Chattanooga moves complete in 1 - 2 days, and full-service movers can often offer same-day or next-day delivery on a route this size, so it's worth asking for a guaranteed delivery date in writing.
Pricing data reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,000+ live price points and 70+ Tennessee movers reviewed.
How much does it cost to move from Knoxville to Chattanooga?
Expect to spend between $117 and $4,453* on a Knoxville to Chattanooga move, based on moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset.
The prices below show what each moving service charges across home sizes:
- Full-service movers: $649 - $4,453
- Moving containers: $744 - $1,945
- Rental trucks: $117 - $252
What drives the cost difference?
- Full-service moves include packing, loading, transport, and unloading. Professional packing alone adds $0.15 - $0.21 per pound.
- Moving containers cut costs by handling transport while you load and unload yourself.
- Rental trucks save roughly 30% versus full-service, but require you to drive the route yourself and supply your own labor.
- Using moveBuddha's cost calculator helps movers save 30% compared to their first quote.
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $649 - $2,818 | $744 - $1,285 | $117 - $189 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,248 - $3,409 | $871 - $1,732 | $132 - $212 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,727 - $4,453 | $1,199 - $1,945 | $156 - $252 |
*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 12 years of experience reviewing 70+ Tennessee moving companies, and are updated as of September 2026. Actual costs vary based on home size, add-on services, access or parking conditions, and timing. Use a moving cost calculator and compare quotes from at least 3 movers for the most accurate number.
Learn more about the cost of Knoxville, TN movers.
How Knoxville to Chattanooga moving costs break down
It'll cost you about $113 an hour per moving crew member in terms of labor and driving. So, if a 3-person moving crew takes 4 hours to move your 2-bedroom home, your baseline price would be $1,354.
Here's a breakdown of some of the most common moving costs:
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Professional packing | $0.15 - $0.21 per lb. 11% of Knoxville movers offer fragile-only packing, vs 24% nationally |
Full-service movers |
| Fuel surcharge | $100 - $400 (or 8% - 15% of transport charges) | Full-service movers |
| Shuttle service | $0.08 - $0.12 per lb. ($200 minimum) | Full-service movers |
| Access fees (stairs, elevators, long carry) | $75 - $500+ | Full-service movers |
| Storage-in-transit | ~$0.50 per cubic foot ($257/month for a 1-bedroom) | Full-service movers |
| Bulky-item handling | $150 - $400 per item | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $50 - $200 | Rental trucks |
| Contents coverage plan | 1% - 2% of the total value of your belongings | All move types |
Did you know: Many high-rises and managed communities require a certificate of insurance (COI) from your mover before granting elevator or loading dock access, so request one at least a week ahead to avoid delay fees.
Source: moveBuddha pricing analysis. Bulky-item charges apply to safes, sectionals, and large appliances. Storage-in-transit assumes ~514 cubic feet for a 1-bedroom home.
Best movers from Knoxville to Chattanooga
Moving from Knoxville to Chattanooga is a job for local and regional Tennessee movers, not a national carrier. Most companies bill hourly for a route like this, and can typically deliver same-day or next-day, without the long-haul logistics overhead national companies build into their pricing. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving leads moveBuddha's local rankings at 4.64 out of 5 stars across 277 verified customer reviews.
Best local & regional movers from Knoxville to Chattanooga
Local movers operating within Tennessee know the intrastate logistics and regulations inside and out, and can typically offer same-day or next-day delivery windows that national van lines can't always match. For a route this size, they're often priced the same as or cheaper than a national operator, with noticeably more scheduling flexibility.
rating
Our top local picks:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.64/5 stars): 83.8% positive customer ratings.
- Gouffon Moving & Storage (4.64/5 stars): 91.8% positive customer ratings.
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.56/5 stars): 81.9% positive customer ratings.
- All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.52/5 stars): 61.6% positive customer ratings.
- Bellhop Moving (4.36/5 stars): 78.1% positive customer ratings.
We evaluated 9 movers in Knoxville, drawing on 1,574 verified customer reviews, along with BBB ratings, customer satisfaction, and proximity to this route.
Best national carriers from Knoxville to Chattanooga
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick among national full-service carriers. National movers offer binding estimates, comprehensive coverage options, and established claims processes, worth considering for 4+ bedroom moves or high-value shipments.
Our top national picks:
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): best overall value pick, because it balances affordable pricing with quality service.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): most experienced pick, because it has been in business since 1933 and trains and certifies its moving crews.
- North American Van Lines (4.8/5 stars): best customized plans pick, because you add only the services you need instead of paying for a fixed package.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): strongest protection plans pick, because it offers multiple valuation plans, including one that more fully reimburses you for lost or damaged belongings.
- International Van Lines (4.6/5 stars): best customer service pick, because it consistently earns high marks from our readers and other review sites for friendly, efficient service.
More popular routes from Knoxville, TN
Knoxville residents also frequently move to these destinations. Compare pricing and top-rated movers for each route below.
More Tennessee moving resources
How does Chattanooga compare to Knoxville?
Cost of living: Knoxville vs. Chattanooga
A big difference in cost of living can offset any savings from cheaper movers, so it's worth checking before you commit to the move.
| Knoxville | Chattanooga | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,795 | $1,475 |
| Average home cost | $213,473 | $259,125 |
| Average income (per capita) | $50,994 | $61,028 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,184 | $3,300 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,200 | $4,350 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| Average sales tax | 9.25% | 9.25% |
Cost-of-living data for Knoxville and Chattanooga comes from moveBuddha's city dataset, updated September 2026 across 70+ Tennessee moving companies. Methodology details are available in our moving cost methodology.
- Rent prices in Chattanooga are 18% lower than in Knoxville. The gap typically frees up several hundred dollars a month for savings or a larger unit.
- Home prices in Chattanooga are 21% higher than Knoxville. Existing homeowners trading up to similar square footage face a meaningful jump in down payment and monthly mortgage.
- Average income in Chattanooga is 20% higher than Knoxville. Negotiating a cost-of-living raise is realistic if you're transferring within the same employer.
- Cost of living for one person in Chattanooga is 51% higher than Knoxville. Plan to add roughly 51% to your current monthly budget for a like-for-like lifestyle.
- Cost of living for a family of 4 in Chattanooga is 16% lower than Knoxville. Most households convert the savings into housing upgrades, college savings, or retirement contributions.
- Unemployment in Chattanooga runs 19% higher than Knoxville. Lock in a role before relocating, especially if you depend on a single income.
- Sales taxes in Chattanooga and Knoxville match. Day-to-day taxable purchases cost the same in both cities.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,530 in Chattanooga to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in Knoxville.
How life is different in Knoxville vs. Chattanooga
Beyond the numbers, day-to-day life in Chattanooga might look different from Knoxville in ways that matter more once you've settled in.
| Knoxville | Chattanooga | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,740 | 181,099 |
| Political leaning | Republican 64-34 | Republican 53.8-44.1 |
| Summer high | 88ºF | 89ºF |
| Winter low | 28ºF | 28ºF |
| Annual rain | 50" | 51" |
| Annual snow | 6" | 2" |
| Crime index | 42.54 | 53.89 |
Did you know: Summer moves in Tennessee can expose belongings to truck temperatures over 120ºF, so heat-sensitive items like electronics, wine, and wood furniture are safer with an early-morning load time or climate-controlled storage (offered by 44% of movers in Tennessee, vs 33% nationally).
- Chattanooga has a similar population to Knoxville. Cost of living, job market depth, and cultural breadth, not headcount, will define the move experience.
- In the last presidential election, both Knoxville and Chattanooga voted Republican.
- Summer highs in Chattanooga (89°F) match Knoxville (88°F). No wardrobe or cooling-cost adjustment required.
- Winter lows in Knoxville (28°F) and Chattanooga (28°F) are similar. Heating costs and seasonal wardrobe carry over without adjustment.
- Annual rainfall in Knoxville (50 inches) and Chattanooga (51 inches) is comparable. No major change to drainage, gear, or seasonal planning.
- Annual snowfall in Knoxville (6 inches) and Chattanooga (2 inches) is similar. Existing winter routines transfer.
- Crime index in Chattanooga (53.89) is higher than Knoxville (42.54). Vet specific neighborhoods carefully and check property crime rates at the ZIP-code level.
Things to do in Chattanooga
Chattanooga's lifestyle is defined by outdoor recreation, museums and cultural venues, professional and college sports, and a strong university presence. Top destinations in each category appear below.
Museums in Chattanooga
- Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
- Creative Discovery Museum
- Coker Museum - Honest Charley
- Hunter Museum of American Art
- International Towing and Recovery Museum
Parks in Chattanooga
- Coolidge Park Tennessee
- Riverpark Ross's Landing Park
- Enterprise South Nature Park
- Chickamauga Dam
- Tennessee River Park
Sports teams in Chattanooga
- Chattanooga Lookouts (Southern League)
- Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL League One)
Universities in Chattanooga
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Chattanooga State Community College
- Tennessee Temple University
- University of Tennessee -College of Medicine
- Richmont Graduate University
Final verdict: Knoxville to Chattanooga movers
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick for full-service moves, backed by 14 years in business and statewide Tennessee service. For smaller moves, College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.64/5) is the top local choice, with 83.8% positive reviews across 277 ratings.
Containers and rental trucks cut costs by about 30% versus full-service. Total prices on this route run $117 - $4,453, based on our analysis of 70+ Tennessee movers and 12 years of pricing data.
FAQs about moving from Knoxville to Chattanooga
What percentage of Knoxville movers handle piano or antique moves?
About 67% of movers in Knoxville handle piano moves, and 22% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Chattanooga?
The cheapest time to move to Chattanooga is between early October and late April, outside the industry's peak season of May through September. Demand and prices both drop once summer ends, so timing your move in the off-season saves money.
How much are moving container companies from Knoxville to Chattanooga?
Moving containers from Knoxville to Chattanooga cost $516 - $1,195 for a studio or 1-bedroom home. A 2 - 3 bedroom move runs $871 - $1,732, and a larger home costs $1,199 - $1,945.
How many movers in Knoxville offer labor-only help?
67% of movers in Knoxville offer labor-only help for loading or unloading a truck or container you rent yourself, compared to 56% nationally.
Is moving from Knoxville to Chattanooga considered a long-distance move?
A move from Knoxville to Chattanooga is classified as an intrastate move, governed by Tennessee law rather than federal DOT rules for interstate moves. Most full-service movers price intrastate moves over 50 miles by weight and mileage rather than an hourly rate. Confirm your mover holds a valid Tennessee intrastate operating authority, not just a USDOT number, before signing.
