Florida Local Expert
Vanessa Leikvoll
“She fosters dogs but answers to the two parakeets who clearly run her house.”
See full bio
Moving to Tennessee from FL: What Google Won't Tell You
Florida's year-round sunshine and beachside living have a way of making it hard to imagine life anywhere else, yet thousands of residents pack up and head north to Tennessee every year. Trading salt air and flat landscapes for mountain views and four distinct seasons is a bigger adjustment than most people anticipate. The cost of living shift alone can reshape your entire budget, and the cultural transition from coastal Florida life to Tennessee's Appalachian and Southern roots runs deeper than it looks on paper. Our Snappy Scout team (Vanessa & Mike) dug into the real costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes waiting for you on the other side of this move so you can head into it with both eyes open.
Who's Behind This Guide
FL to TN: How Far Is the Move?
Average distance
700miles
Typical route
I-75 N and I-24 N
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Miami, FL → Nashville, TN
~1050 miles
Orlando, FL → Nashville, TN
~850 miles
Jacksonville, FL → Memphis, TN
~700 miles
Tampa, FL → Knoxville, TN
~700 miles
Tallahassee, FL → Chattanooga, TN
~550 miles
The Complete Cost of a FL to TN Long-Distance Move
Moving 700 miles from Florida to Tennessee will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,000.00
Expected Time
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,450.00
1 Bedroom
$2,150.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,550.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,160.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,420.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,260.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,450.00 | 300 | $4.83 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,150.00 | 450 | $4.78 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,550.00 | 750 | $4.73 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,160.00 | 1,100 | $4.69 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,420.00 | 1,600 | $4.64 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,260.00 | 1,800 | $4.59 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
Who Is the FL to TN Move Really For?
Well, it depends. If you're a Tech Bro, Retired Military, or Garden Club Lifetime Member, you'll thrive in your move to Tennessee. But if you're more of a Beach Bum, Retired Snowbird, or Binge Shopper, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Florida to Tennessee.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from FL to TN
Tech Scene
Florida
3.5
/10
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Startup buzz is rising, but Silicon Valley still owns the crown.
Tennessee
Gaining
Chattanooga gig internet, Oracle's Nashville campus, Oak Ridge brains
Recommended TN cities/areas for Tech Bros
Florida
3.5
/10
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Military Culture
Florida
5
/10
Tennessee
8
/10
Florida
Giving up
Strong bases, beaches, and VA care make it feel like home.
Tennessee
Gaining
Clarksville near Fort Campbell, VA care in Murfreesboro, Mountain Home VA Medical Center in Johnson City
Recommended TN cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Florida
5
/10
Tennessee
8
/10
Gardener
Florida
5
/10
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Tropical plants thrive (sorry, not in the panhandle), but summer heat wilts your patience.
Tennessee
Gaining
Cheekwood blooms, Memphis Botanic Garden strolls
Recommended TN cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
NashvilleMemphis
Florida
5
/10
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Beach Culture
Florida
10
/10
Tennessee
4
/10
Florida
Giving up
Year-round surf, sand, and Margaritaville moods everywhere you go.
Tennessee
Gaining
Norris Lake shores and Percy Priest are not Gulf waves
Recommended TN cities/areas for Beach Bums
Norris LakePercy Priest Lake
Florida
10
/10
Tennessee
4
/10
Snowbirds
Florida
9.5
/10
Tennessee
7
/10
Florida
Giving up
Golf carts, palm trees, and perpetual sunshine never get old.
Tennessee
Gaining
Tellico Village lakes, low taxes, sunny porch seasons
Recommended TN cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Tellico VillageKnoxville
Florida
9.5
/10
Tennessee
7
/10
Shopping
Florida
6.5
/10
Tennessee
6
/10
Florida
Giving up
Outlet heaven, but your credit card might melt in the sun.
Tennessee
Gaining
Opry Mills marathons, Tanger Sevierville runs, wallet cries happy, the Pinnacle
Recommended TN cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Opry MillsSeviervilleBristol
Florida
6.5
/10
Tennessee
6
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Tennessee?
Not many Tennesseeans grow tobacco anymore, but old tobacco barns still stand everywhere. The sight and smell of them take me back to early Saturday mornings heading to the field, loading wagons, and pulling into the barn to hang tobacco stalks for drying. It was hard work, but Tennesseeans neve shy away from challenges. That's why we are the Volunteer State.
– Mike Stover
Tennessee Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Florida and living in Tennessee
FloridaTennessee
FL Food vs TN Food: What You Need to Know
Eating Like a Local in Florida
This really varies by where in Florida you are. But, generally, Cuban and Latin-inspired food here is very popular, as well as what I refer to as "beach bar food:" coconut shrimp, grouper bites, crab cakes, gator bites, fish tacos, and of course, margaritas (especially spicy ones with a Tajin rim).
I don't think there are any unspoken rules here, per se, except that you always want to get the freshest fish available, such as mahi mahi or grouper, and skip the conventional white fish.
Vanessa LeikvollFlorida Local ExpertEating Like a Local in Tennessee
Locals from Memphis to Roan Mountain know that REAL barbeque comes wet, sweet, and sticky. Vinegar is a cleaning agent, not an ingredient in BBQ.
Mike StoverTennessee Local ExpertIs TN a More Affordable State for Your Tax Reality?
Florida
Tennessee
FloridavsTennessee
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNone. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Florida
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
VS
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Florida
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
VS
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
The People, Politics, & Religion Reality Between FL and TN
Florida
Tennessee
FloridavsTennessee
People
PeopleFriendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Florida
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
VS
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Politics
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Florida
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
VS
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Florida
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
VS
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Two Locals, Two Sets of Seasons: Climate in FL and TN
SUMMER
Florida
Just plain hot (triple digits and 98% humidity in Miami)
Tennessee
sweet tea sauna vibes (Memphis bakes, Nashville steams, Smokies cool off at dusk). The lowlands are just plain hot; the mountains are where you want to be.
WINTER
Florida
Sweater optional (unless you're in the Panhandle, then it's gloves and regret)
Tennessee
light jacket roulette (Nashville slush, Memphis rain, Gatlinburg steals the snow). Natives say if you don't like Tennessee weather, wait a while; it'll change.
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Tennessee
Fall mornings in Tennessee combine mild but pleasant temperatures with an explosion of natural color. You don't go far to find cascading leaves and peaceful vibes.
Mike StoverTennessee Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Tennessee
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Florida, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Tennessee. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Tennessee local experts.
Moving toNashville
Hot Chicken, Broadway Woo, Briley Bypass
Moving toChattanooga
Pack Your Climbing Gear and Gig Dreams
Moving toGatlinburg
Pack Hiking Boots and Traffic Patience
