Moving to Tennessee from GA: Is This Move Right for Your Personality?

Georgia and Tennessee share a border, a love of college football, and more BBQ debates than either side will ever settle, but relocating between the two states brings more change than most people anticipate. Georgia offers the gravitational pull of Atlanta, a sprawling metropolis with a booming film industry and one of the busiest airports on the planet. Tennessee counters with a trio of distinct major cities, Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville, each carrying its own personality and pace. The cost of living, tax structure, and outdoor lifestyle shift in ways that can catch even well-prepared movers off guard. Our Snappy Scout team (Sabrina & Mike) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes worth knowing before you load the first box.
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Who's Behind This Guide

How Far Is Georgia from Tennessee, Really?

Average distance
200miles
Typical route
I-75 N and I-24 W are the major highways you'd drive to get from Georgia to Tennessee

Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):

Atlanta, GA Chattanooga, TN
~100 miles
Atlanta, GA Nashville, TN
~250 miles
Savannah, GA Knoxville, TN
~400 miles
Augusta, GA Memphis, TN
~550 miles
Macon, GA Chattanooga, TN
~150 miles
Residential neighborhood shots across Nashville
Moving to Tennessee means getting to call neighborhoods like Downtown, East Nashville, The Gulch, or Music Row in Nashville home.

Should You Move From Georgia to Tennessee Quiz

Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Tennessee from Georgia is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.

Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score

Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.

How Much Do Professional Movers Charge from Georgia to Tennessee?

Moving 200 miles from Georgia to Tennessee will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $6,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.

Expected Range
$2,500.00–$6,000.00
Expected Time
29days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,700.00
1 Bedroom
$2,530.00
2 Bedrooms
$4,180.00
3 Bedrooms
$6,070.00
4 Bedrooms
$8,750.00
5+ Bedrooms
$9,760.00
Home SizeMoving CostVolume (ft³)$/ft³
Studio$1,700.00300$5.67
1 Bedroom$2,530.00450$5.62
2 Bedrooms$4,180.00750$5.57
3 Bedrooms$6,070.001,100$5.52
4 Bedrooms$8,750.001,600$5.47
5+ Bedrooms$9,760.001,800$5.42
Snappy Scout camel
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.
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That's the average.
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comparison of housing options and types between neighborhoods in Georgia and Tennessee
Take a look at the differences in housing options and neighborhood vibes between Atlanta, GA and Nashville, TN.

Could You See Yourself Settling in Tennessee?

Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, Homesteader, or Adventure Junkie, you'll thrive in your move to Tennessee. But if you're more of a Beach Bum, Surfer Dude, or Minimalist, 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 Georgia to Tennessee.

Top 3 winners and losers moving from GA to TN

Cowboys
Verdict: Winner
Georgia
4
/10
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Some ranches and rodeos exist, but this ain't Texas
Tennessee
Gaining
Franklin horse farms, PBR's Nashville Stampede at Bridgestone Arena
Recommended TN cities/areas for Cowboys
FranklinMurfreesboro
Homesteading
Verdict: Winner
Georgia
5
/10
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Georgia
Giving up
North Georgia land available, but limited wide open acreage
Tennessee
Gaining
Cumberland Plateau acreage, farm coops, Tractor Supply everywhere
Recommended TN cities/areas for Homesteaders
Cumberland PlateauCookevilleGreeneville
Adventure Activities
Verdict: Winner
Georgia
7.5
/10
Tennessee
9.5
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Appalachian Trail, Tallulah Gorge, Chattahoochee River whitewater thrills
Tennessee
Gaining
The Appalachian Trail, Great Smoky Mountains, Ocoee Rapids, Obed climbs
Recommended TN cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
ElizabethtonGatlinburgChattanoogaWartburg
Beach Culture
Verdict: Similar
Georgia
5
/10
Tennessee
4
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Beaches exist but more laid back than tropical paradise
Tennessee
Gaining
Norris Lake shores and Percy Priest are not Gulf waves
Recommended TN cities/areas for Beach Bums
Norris LakePercy Priest Lake
Surfing
Verdict: Similar
Georgia
4
/10
Tennessee
3
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Waves are rare, except during hurricane season, more longboard and chill vibes
Tennessee
Gaining
Wake surf Old Hickory Lake, but Beale Street lacks breaks
Recommended TN cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Old Hickory Lake
Minimalism
Verdict: Similar
Georgia
5.5
/10
Tennessee
5
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Midtown condos work, but Southern homes love their stuff
Tennessee
Gaining
The Gulch microlofts fit, but suburban sprawl and I-24 overwhelm
Recommended TN cities/areas for Minimalists
The GulchDowntown Knoxville
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
comparison of hotspots between neighborhoods in Georgia and Tennessee
Checkout this neighborhood hotspot comparison. The lifestyle differences between Georgia & Tennessee will definitely change how you enjoy your new state.

Lifestyle differences between living in Georgia and living in Tennessee

GeorgiaTennessee

The Dining Culture Between Georgia and Tennessee

Eating Like a Local in Georgia

If Brunswick Stew is on the menu, don't hesitate to order it. And if it's got a bit of heat to it even better, but if not they're sure to have a variety of hot sauces available to spice it up.

Sabrina Wells profile pictureSabrina WellsGeorgia Local Expert

Eating 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 Stover profile pictureMike StoverTennessee Local Expert
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Tennessee looking like
the right move?

There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.

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How Advantageous Is Tennessee Compared to Georgia?

GeorgiavsTennessee
State Income Tax
Georgia
Flat 5.49% on all income
VS
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Property Taxes
Georgia
Metro Atlanta higher, rural counties lower, overall moderate statewide
VS
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Homes across Tennessee
A sampling of housing you might be paying property tax on across Tennessee. Featuring the towns of Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, Jackson, Gatlingburg, and Memphis.

From Georgia to Tennessee: How Values, Beliefs, & Politics Change

GeorgiavsTennessee
People
Georgia
Southern charm personified, warm hospitality with genuine politeness baked in until they get on 285
VS
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Politics
Georgia
Purple battleground, Atlanta and it's surrounding counties learn strong blue, surrounded by a sea of red
VS
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Religion
Georgia
Predominantly Christian, heavy Baptist influence, Atlanta brings religious diversity
VS
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Comparing the state capitol buildings between Georgia and Tennessee.
The Georgia state capitol building in Atlanta compared to the Tennessee state capitol building in Nashville.

How The Seasons Hit Different When You Move to Tennessee from Georgia

SUMMER
Georgia

satan's sauna setting (90s with bonus swamp air)

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
Georgia

negotiable flannel season (mountains get actual snow)

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 Stover profile pictureMike StoverTennessee Local Expert

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Next 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 Georgia, 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.