Knoxville, TN to Winston-Salem, NC Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Knoxville to Winston-Salem typically costs $1,700–$5,300 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 272 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Knoxville to Winston-Salem
Moving from Knoxville, TN to Winston-Salem, NC typically costs $1,700–$5,300 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 272-mile move from Knoxville to Winston-Salem, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Mayzlin Relocation recently quoted $3,182 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- Joyce Van Lines recently quoted $3,385 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $2,515 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 10, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Feb 02, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 30, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 13, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Dec 17, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 10, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 06, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 06, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 03, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 03, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Knoxville to Winston-Salem
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $1,100, but larger homes can run up to $6,800.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Knoxville.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($300–$900) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Knoxville, TN guide.
Best Knoxville to Winston-Salem movers by type
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Best professional movers from Knoxville to Winston-Salem
For a stress-free interstate move from Knoxville to Winston-Salem, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best TN→NC movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 71 Tennessee moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Knoxville to Winston-Salem
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Winston-Salem runs about 11% higher for singles and 1% higher for families than Knoxville.
Singles spend around $2,420 in Winston-Salem versus $2,184 in Knoxville; families pay $5,265 compared with $5,200.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Knoxville | Winston-Salem | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,667 | $1,490 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,210 | $2,260 |
| Average home value | $350,035 | $248,806 |
| Average income (per capita) | $61,050 | $62,431 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,184 | $2,420 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,200 | $5,265 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Sales tax | 9.25% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 4.5% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 28% lower in Winston-Salem than in Knoxville, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 29% lower in Winston-Salem than in Knoxville.
- The average income in Winston-Salem and Knoxville is quite similar, within about 5%, so your finances should remain fairly stable.
- Plan for higher expenses in Winston-Salem, since the cost of living for a single person is 11% more than in Knoxville. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- You’ll find the cost of living for a family to be nearly equivalent in Winston-Salem and Knoxville, with only a minor variance of about 5%, so you'll likely see minimal difference in daily expenses.
- The unemployment rate in Winston-Salem is 11% higher compared to Knoxville, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 24% lower in Winston-Salem than in Knoxville. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Winston-Salem can reduce your overall living expenses.
- North Carolina has a state income tax, while Tennessee does not. That means you’ll owe more in taxes after your move, reducing your take-home pay compared to what you’re used to.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Knoxville with Winston-Salem:
| Living Expense | Knoxville | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $215.94 | $188.00 |
| Cell phone plan | $54.00 | $52.67 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.06 | $4.71 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.64 | $3.95 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $18.00 | $19.50 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $85.00 | $75.00 |
| Gym membership | $34.67 | $17.50 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Knoxville than in Winston-Salem.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Knoxville than in Winston-Salem.
- Eggs are less expensive in Knoxville than in Winston-Salem.
- Bread costs less in Knoxville than in Winston-Salem.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Knoxville than in Winston-Salem.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Knoxville than in Winston-Salem.
- Gym memberships cost more in Knoxville than in Winston-Salem.
How life is different in Knoxville vs. Winston-Salem
| Knoxville | Winston-Salem | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,740 | 249,545 |
| Transportation score | 4 | 3 |
| Walkability score | 31 | 22 |
| Bike friendliness score | 30 | 29 |
| Crime index | 42.54 | 32.67 |
| Safety index | 57.46 | 67.33 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Winston-Salem's population is about 31% greater than Knoxville.
- Winston-Salem's public transportation score of 3 out of 10 is lower than Knoxville's score of 4.
- Winston-Salem is less walkable than Knoxville with a score of 22 out of 100 vs Knoxville's 31 out of 100.
- Both Winston-Salem and Knoxville have similar bike-friendliness scores (30 vs 29), meaning Winston-Salem is about as safe for cyclists as Knoxville. Typically, cities with scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though higher scores mean better cycling accessibility.
- Winston-Salem's crime rate is lower than Knoxville with a score of 32.67 compared to Knoxville's 42.54. This means that Winston-Salem neighborhoods are safer than 32.67% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Knoxville neighborhoods are safer than 42.54%.
- Winston-Salem is considered to be safer than Knoxville with a safety index of 67.33 vs Knoxville's 57.46.
- Air quality in Winston-Salem is Good, and in Knoxville it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Knoxville to Winston-Salem move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving 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: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While North Carolina doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Winston-Salem smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Winston-Salem
Now that you've chosen Camel City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Winston-Salem to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- West End
- Ardmore
- Buena Vista
- Old Salem
- Washington Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Sherwood Forest
- Ardmore
- Buena Vista
- West Highlands
- West Salem
Things to do in Winston-Salem
After getting comfortable in your new North Carolina home, it's time to see what Winston-Salem is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Winston-Salem offers cultural landmarks like the Old Salem Museums & Gardens, Frank L Horton Museum Center, Kaleideum Downtown, and Kaleideum North.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's REYNOLDA ESTATE, SALEM LAKE, QUARRY PARK AND NATURE PRESERVE, and POLO PARK — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Winston-Salem State University Rams (NCAA)Winston-Salem Dash (High-A East)Carolina Thunderbirds (FPHL)Winston-Salem Wolves (East Coast Basketball League)Wake Forest (NCAA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Winston-Salem?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Knoxville to Winston-Salem are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Knoxville are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Knoxville to Winston-Salem?
Because spring and fall moves from Knoxville to Winston-Salem 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 Knoxville to Winston-Salem take?
A move of 272 miles from Knoxville, TN to Winston-Salem, NC generally takes one to four days. Movers in Knoxville sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Winston-Salem is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Knoxville?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 1 companies offer special pricing for members of the military.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Knoxville offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 6 movers in Knoxville have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 2 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across TN, there are 46 piano movers and 21 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
