Moving from Virginia to Tennessee ($1,160-$5,340)
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The cost to move from Virginia to Tennessee ranges from $1,160 to $5,340 with full-service movers, based on 960 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Our moving cost calculator weighs your exact distance, home size, and move date together, so your estimate reflects this specific Virginia to Tennessee route rather than a flat average.
How much does it cost to move from Virginia to Tennessee?
The average cost of moving from Virginia to Tennessee with full-service movers typically ranges between $1,160 to $5,340 for a studio to 3-bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 960 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 555 miles.
The final price of your Virginia to Tennessee move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,160 - $3,250 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,040 - $5,340 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,900 - $7,470 |
How much do moving containers cost from Virginia to Tennessee?
A moving container from Virginia to Tennessee costs between $750 and $3,320, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,240 to $2,450, roughly 50% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 555-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $750 - $1,740 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,240 - $2,450 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,700 - $3,320 |
29% of movers in Virginia offer climate-controlled storage, worth asking about if your container needs to sit before delivery.
How much does a rental truck cost from Virginia to Tennessee?
A rental truck from Virginia to Tennessee costs between $440 and $1,260. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $490 to $990, about 80% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Virginia averaging $2.90 per gallon, fuel for the 555-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $440 - $810 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $490 - $990 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $590 - $1,260 |
Add-on costs for a Virginia to Tennessee move
Most Virginia to Tennessee estimates start as a base transport figure and climb from there as accessorials get attached. Knowing which ones actually apply to a 555-mile move is the difference between a quote that holds and one that moves on delivery day.
At 555 miles, a Virginia to Tennessee move is typically a one-to-two-day haul. That's the range where storage-in-transit and shuttle fees start appearing on quotes, since your shipment may sit briefly before a delivery window opens in Tennessee. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
Tennessee's cost of living sits roughly 10% below Virginia's, which pulls destination-side fees like shuttle service and storage near Nashville down. Origin-side labor in Virginia stays the expensive half of this route, so packing services and stair carries at pickup deserve the closest scrutiny on your quote.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Virginia to Tennessee) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $570 - $1,490 |
| Packing materials only | $150 - $430 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $310 - $860 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $100 - $280 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $70 - $230 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $160 - $380 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $180 - $520 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $350 - $550 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 555-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Virginia to Tennessee estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
75% of movers in Virginia handle piano moves, 30% handle pool tables, and 41% handle safes — confirm your mover covers whichever specialty item you're moving before booking. 28% of Virginia movers require a deposit to book, and 34% offer full-value protection as an add-on rather than folding it into every quote.
Our recommended Virginia to Tennessee Movers
These movers average a 83% positive review rate among Virginia movers we track.
Compare movers for your Virginia to Tennessee move
We track and rate long-distance movers based in Virginia year-round — here's how the top options for a Tennessee move stack up against each other:
60% of Virginia movers we track offer instant online quotes, well above the 45% national average, so you can compare several before picking up the phone.
4075 Wilson BLVD, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22203
211 N Union St, Suite 132, Alexandria, VA 22314
8370 Greensboro Dr, Apt 817, McLean, VA 22102
160 Imboden Drive, Winchester, VA 22603
45726 Elmwood Ct., Sterling, VA 20166
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Alternate Virginia to Tennessee moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on a Virginia to Tennessee move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 50% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 80% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in Virginia run $60 - $81 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Tennessee end. 70% of movers in Virginia offer labor-only service, so finding one shouldn't take long.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Virginia on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Tennessee for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $317 - $821 to rent in Virginia, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed over 960 quotes from Virginia to Tennessee, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tennessee to Virginia guide.
Virginia to Tennessee cost of living comparison
Moving from Virginia to Tennessee means adjusting to a different cost of living, job market, and housing landscape. Our moving trends data across major U.S. routes shows these are the factors that most commonly shape a relocation like this one:
| Factor | Virginia | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 100 | 90 |
| Average household income | $87,249 | $64,035 |
| Median home value | $392,682 | $319,208 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% | 3.3% |
| State income tax | 5.75% | 0.0% |
| Average monthly rent | $1,440 | $1,047 |
| Average sales tax | 5.73% | 9.55% |
| Crime index | 19.3 | 29.24 |
| College graduation rate | 41.81% | 30.48% |
| Population | 8,715,698 | 7,126,489 |
Tennessee's cost of living index of 90 is lower than Virginia's 100, making affordability a common driver of this move. Lower housing costs and everyday expenses can offset the upfront cost of a long-distance move within the first 1 - 2 years.
Tennessee's largest industries are Manufacturing ($55 billion), Professional and business services ($41.4 billion), and Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($40.3 billion), worth a look if a job change is part of this move.
FAQs: Moving from Virginia to Tennessee
What are the best ways to lower my full-service moving bill?
Decluttering before the move saves about $120 - $590 for every 500 pounds cut. Moving off-season saves 20% - 30%, and a Tuesday - Thursday, mid-month pickup saves another 10% - 30%. Among Virginia movers, 2.88% offer a military discount, 3.85% offer a senior discount, and 0.96% offer a student discount. Get at least 3 quotes and ask if any will price-match a lower one.
How does the cost of living in Tennessee compare to Virginia?
Tennessee's cost of living index of 90 is lower than Virginia's 100 (100 is the national average), so day-to-day costs should feel cheaper. Average rent runs $1,440 in Virginia versus $1,047 in Tennessee. Crime index is 19.3 in Virginia vs 29.24 in Tennessee. 30.48% of Tennessee adults hold a college degree, versus 41.81% in Virginia.
What's the cheapest way to move from Virginia to Tennessee?
A rental truck is cheapest: $490 - $990 for a 2-3 bedroom move, about 80% less than full-service. At 555 miles, that's 2 days behind the wheel, plus around $186 in fuel. Moving containers ($1,240 - $2,450, about 50% less than full-service) skip the drive entirely. Use our moving cost calculator to compare all 3 for your move size.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves are regulated federally by the FMCSA. Verify your mover's USDOT number for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool. Report violations at 1-888-368-7238. You can also look up licensed movers in Virginia at Virginia's official regulatorandin Tennessee at Tennessee's official regulator.
Are full-service movers worth it for a Virginia to Tennessee move?
People making this move are often chasing abundant recreational opportunities in Tennessee.Full-service makes sense for a large home (3+ bedrooms), a tight timeline, or high-value items. DIY fits a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms) when cost matters most and you have time to spare. Moving containers, about 50% less than full-service, split the difference by skipping the drive.
Popular Virginia to Tennessee moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Virginia to Tennessee corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
- Virginia Beach, VA to Nashville, TN Movers
- Virginia Beach, VA to Memphis, TN Movers
- Chesapeake, VA to Nashville, TN Movers
- Arlington, VA to Nashville, TN Movers
- Norfolk, VA to Nashville, TN Movers
- Richmond, VA to Nashville, TN Movers
- Chesapeake, VA to Memphis, TN Movers
- Arlington, VA to Memphis, TN Movers
- Norfolk, VA to Memphis, TN Movers
- Richmond, VA to Memphis, TN Movers
- Browse All Virginia Routes
Moving from Virginia to Tennessee: the bottom line
The cost to move from Virginia to Tennessee ranges from $1,160 - $5,340 for a studio to 3-bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 50% - 80% less for the same move. For most people making this 555-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.
