Mississippi Local Expert
Katherine Mines
“She’s a devoted Disney gal, happily enduring long lines, hot pavement, and goofy mouse ears.”
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JourneysMoving Journeys|From MSMoving from Mississippi|To TNMoving to Tennessee|Mississippi → Tennessee
Leaving Mississippi for Tennessee: Read This Before You Pack a Single Box
Two neighboring Southern states might seem like an easy swap, but relocating from Mississippi to Tennessee brings more change than the short drive suggests. Mississippi's slower pace, lower costs, and deep-rooted community feel give way to Tennessee's booming cities, growing job market, and a cultural energy that draws newcomers from across the country. The two states share a border and a love of good food and live music, yet the day to day differences in cost, climate, and lifestyle can catch even well-prepared movers off guard. Our Snappy Scout team (Katherine & Mike) dug into the real numbers, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to know before loading up the first box.
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Who's Behind This Guide
How Far Are You Moving from MS to Tennessee?
Average distance
250miles
Typical route
I-55 N and I-40 are the major highways you'd drive to get from Mississippi to Tennessee
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Jackson, MS → Memphis, TN
~200 miles
Southaven, MS → Nashville, TN
~300 miles
Tupelo, MS → Memphis, TN
~100 miles
Biloxi, MS → Nashville, TN
~500 miles
Hattiesburg, MS → Memphis, TN
~300 miles
Should You Move From Mississippi to Tennessee Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Tennessee from Mississippi 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.
What to Expect for MS to Tennessee Moving Costs
Moving 250 miles from Mississippi 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
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,670.00
1 Bedroom
$2,490.00
2 Bedrooms
$4,120.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,980.00
4 Bedrooms
$8,620.00
5+ Bedrooms
$9,610.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,670.00 | 300 | $5.57 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,490.00 | 450 | $5.53 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $4,120.00 | 750 | $5.49 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,980.00 | 1,100 | $5.44 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $8,620.00 | 1,600 | $5.39 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $9,610.00 | 1,800 | $5.34 |
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.
That's the average.
What about your move?
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Is Relocating from MS to Tennessee Right for Me?
Well, it depends. If you're a Tech Bro, Coffee Snob, or Binge Shopper, you'll thrive in your move to Tennessee. But if you're more of a Cowboy or Garden Club Lifetime Member, 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 Mississippi to Tennessee.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from MS to TN
Tech Scene
Mississippi
3.5
/10
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Innovate Mississippi exists, but no SoMa bustle or unicorn herds.
Tennessee
Gaining
Chattanooga gig internet, Oracle's Nashville campus, Oak Ridge brains
Recommended TN cities/areas for Tech Bros
Mississippi
3.5
/10
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Coffee Culture
Mississippi
6.5
/10
Tennessee
8.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Cups in Fondren, The Greenhouse, and Oxford coffee shops.
Tennessee
Gaining
Barista Parlor espresso, Crema roastery, Memphis City & State, Don Gatos Coffee Bar
Recommended TN cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Mississippi
6.5
/10
Tennessee
8.5
/10
Shopping
Mississippi
4.5
/10
Tennessee
6
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Renaissance at Colony Park shines, but fewer mega luxury splurges statewide.
Tennessee
Gaining
Opry Mills marathons, Tanger Sevierville runs, wallet cries happy, the Pinnacle
Recommended TN cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Opry MillsSeviervilleBristol
Mississippi
4.5
/10
Tennessee
6
/10
Cowboys
Mississippi
8.5
/10
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Dixie National Rodeo thrills at Mississippi Coliseum.
Tennessee
Gaining
Franklin horse farms, PBR's Nashville Stampede at Bridgestone Arena
Recommended TN cities/areas for Cowboys
FranklinMurfreesboro
Mississippi
8.5
/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 Mississippi and living in Tennessee
MississippiTennessee
The Dining Scene Between MS and Tennessee
Eating Like a Local in Mississippi
When you're in Mississippi, it's essential that you "get in a pinch" and suck some guts out of a crawfish at least once. Wear a shirt you can get messy, and don't even think about donning one of those plastic bibs--the locals will definitely lose respect for you.
Katherine MinesMississippi 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 ExpertTennessee looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
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Real prices not guesswork
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Is Tennessee a More Efficient State for Your Tax Return?
Mississippi
Tennessee
MississippivsTennessee
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Mississippi
Flat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
VS
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Property Taxes
Property TaxesJackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Mississippi
Jackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
VS
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
The Straight People, Politics, & Religion Comparison: MS vs Tennessee
Mississippi
Tennessee
MississippivsTennessee
People
PeopleIn no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Mississippi
In no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
VS
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Politics
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Mississippi
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
VS
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Religion
ReligionMostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Mississippi
Mostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
VS
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
What MS and Tennessee Locals Think About the Seasons
SUMMER
Mississippi
swamp sauna deluxe (Delta sizzles, Biloxi breathes through a wet towel)
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
Mississippi
light-medium jacket weather, long pants optional (Tupelo gets surprise ice, the Coast freaks out when temps dip below 60)
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 Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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on it.
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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 Mississippi, 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
