Idaho Local Expert
Chandi Lyn
“She adores arthropods, which explains why spiders get house tours instead of screams.”
See full bio
Making the Move from ID to Tennessee: Pros, Cons & Everything Between
Trading mountain silence for Southern hospitality is a bigger leap than it might first appear. Idaho's wide open landscapes, affordable ranches, and famously low key pace of life feel worlds away from Tennessee's lush river valleys, bustling music scenes, and front porch culture. Both states skip an income tax, so the financial appeal is easy to see on paper, but the day to day differences in climate, community, and cost of living have a way of catching newcomers off guard. Our Snappy Scout team (Chandi & Mike) dug into the real costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should be thinking about long before the moving truck pulls out of the driveway.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Moving Truck Route from ID to Tennessee
Average distance
2,050miles
Typical route
The drive from Idaho to Tennessee typically takes you along I-84 East, I-80 East, I-76 East, I-70 East, and I-24 East, passing through Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Kentucky before arriving in Tennessee.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Boise, ID → Nashville, TN
~2050 miles
Idaho Falls, ID → Memphis, TN
~2000 miles
Pocatello, ID → Knoxville, TN
~2100 miles
Twin Falls, ID → Chattanooga, TN
~2050 miles
Coeur d'Alene, ID → Nashville, TN
~2200 miles
Should You Move From Idaho to Tennessee Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Tennessee from Idaho 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.
Your Full ID to Tennessee Moving Cost Breakdown
Moving 2,050 miles from Idaho to Tennessee will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
5–12days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,110.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,260.00 | 300 | $4.2 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,860.00 | 450 | $4.13 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,450.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,400.00 | 1,600 | $4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,110.00 | 1,800 | $3.95 |
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.
What Type of Person Struggles After Moving from ID to Tennessee?
Well, it depends. If you're a Retired Snowbird, PTA President, or Garden Club Lifetime Member, you'll thrive in your move to Tennessee. But if you're more of a Cowboy or Yoga Instructor, 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 Idaho to Tennessee.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from ID to TN
Snowbirds
Idaho
4.5
/10
Tennessee
7
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Enjoy summer perfection, but long winters chase many to Arizona
Tennessee
Gaining
Tellico Village lakes, low taxes, sunny porch seasons
Recommended TN cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Tellico VillageKnoxville
Idaho
4.5
/10
Tennessee
7
/10
PTA Life
Idaho
6
/10
Tennessee
8
/10
Idaho
Giving up
High school spirit, Friday nights, West Ada spreadsheets
Tennessee
Gaining
Williamson County schools, Brentwood fields, Collierville Friday nights
Recommended TN cities/areas for PTA Presidents
BrentwoodFranklinCollierville
Idaho
6
/10
Tennessee
8
/10
Cowboys
Idaho
8
/10
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Snake River Stampede, county fairs, boot stores everywhere
Tennessee
Gaining
Franklin horse farms, PBR's Nashville Stampede at Bridgestone Arena
Recommended TN cities/areas for Cowboys
FranklinMurfreesboro
Idaho
8
/10
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Yoga
Idaho
7
/10
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Sun Valley zen, hot springs, studio heavy Boise
Tennessee
Gaining
12South yoga studios, Chattanooga riverfront sun salutations, Real Hot Yoga & Yoga in the Park
Recommended TN cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
Idaho
7
/10
Tennessee
6.5
/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 Idaho and living in Tennessee
IdahoTennessee
How the Local Food Culture Stacks Up Between ID and Tennessee
Eating Like a Local in Idaho
Many restaurants have Navajo tacos on the menu. It's a Western favorite and there's nothing special to ordering it — though you should ask what the spice level is if you're sensitive to that.
Chandi LynIdaho 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 ExpertFrom ID to Tennessee: How Your Tax World Transforms
Idaho
Tennessee
IdahovsTennessee
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 5.8% statewide, grocery tax credit helps offset food sales tax
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Idaho
Flat 5.8% statewide, grocery tax credit helps offset food sales tax
VS
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAda and Kootenai higher with rapid growth, Eastern Idaho lower, homestead exemption helps
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Idaho
Ada and Kootenai higher with rapid growth, Eastern Idaho lower, homestead exemption helps
VS
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
What Shifts About Values, Beliefs, & Politics When You Move from ID to Tennessee
Idaho
Tennessee
IdahovsTennessee
People
PeopleOutdoorsy, neighborly, generally welcoming, always willing to pitch in and help
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Idaho
Outdoorsy, neighborly, generally welcoming, always willing to pitch in and help
VS
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Politics
Deep red statewide, Boise city tilts blue, Moscow and Sun Valley are progressive pockets
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Idaho
Deep red statewide, Boise city tilts blue, Moscow and Sun Valley are progressive pockets
VS
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong LDS in eastern Idaho, evangelicals statewide, unaffiliated rising in Boise
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Idaho
Mostly Christian, strong LDS in eastern Idaho, evangelicals statewide, unaffiliated rising in Boise
VS
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
The Honest Weather Breakdown: ID vs Tennessee
SUMMER
Idaho
High desert broiler mode (triple digits in Treasure Valley, breezy at the lakes up north).
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
Idaho
Icebox roulette vibe (Idaho Falls and Rexburg bitter cold, Boise inversion gloom, Panhandle snow globe).
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 Idaho, 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 toChattanooga
Pack Your Climbing Gear and Gig Dreams
Moving toGatlinburg
Pack Hiking Boots and Traffic Patience
Moving toJackson
Pack the Sweet Tea and Low Expectations
