New Jersey Local Expert
Diane Briante
“A proud Jersey native who swears pork roll tastes better when you’re down the shore.”
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JourneysMoving Journeys|From NJMoving from New Jersey|To TNMoving to Tennessee|New Jersey → Tennessee
Your New Jersey to TN Relocation Guide: The Price Tag Most People Don't Expect
Swapping the dense suburbs of New Jersey for the rolling hills of Tennessee is a trade that looks appealing on paper, but the reality of daily life in the South can catch even the most prepared movers off guard. New Jersey offers proximity to world class cities, a fast pace, and some of the best public transit access in the country, while Tennessee counters with wide open space, a dramatically lower cost of living, and a culture that operates on its own unhurried rhythm. The tax picture alone is enough to make any Garden State resident take a long second look, but there is far more to consider than what stays in your paycheck. Our Snappy Scout team (Diane & Mike) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before you start loading the truck.
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Who's Behind This Guide
DIY Move: How Far Is the Move from New Jersey to Tennessee?
Average distance
850miles
Typical route
I-78 W, I-81 S, I-77 S, I-40 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Newark, NJ → Nashville, TN
~900 miles
Jersey City, NJ → Memphis, TN
~1050 miles
Trenton, NJ → Knoxville, TN
~750 miles
Camden, NJ → Chattanooga, TN
~800 miles
Atlantic City, NJ → Clarksville, TN
~950 miles
Should You Move From New Jersey to Tennessee Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Tennessee from New Jersey 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's the Average Cost to Move to Tennessee from New Jersey?
Moving 850 miles from New Jersey 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
$1,380.00
1 Bedroom
$2,040.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,370.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,890.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,040.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,830.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,380.00 | 300 | $4.6 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,040.00 | 450 | $4.53 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,370.00 | 750 | $4.49 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,890.00 | 1,100 | $4.45 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,040.00 | 1,600 | $4.4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,830.00 | 1,800 | $4.35 |
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.
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The Lifestyle Fit: New Jersey vs Tennessee
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, Adventure Junkie, or Retired Military, you'll thrive in your move to Tennessee. But if you're more of a Beach Bum, Wall Street Exec, or Tech Bro, 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 New Jersey to Tennessee.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from NJ to TN
Cowboys
New Jersey
2
/10
Tennessee
6.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Cowtown Rodeo thrills, but spurs feel lonely off Turnpike
Tennessee
Gaining
Franklin horse farms, PBR's Nashville Stampede at Bridgestone Arena
Recommended TN cities/areas for Cowboys
FranklinMurfreesboro
New Jersey
2
/10
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Adventure Activities
New Jersey
6
/10
Tennessee
9.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Appalachian Trail miles, Pine Barrens paddles, High Point views
Tennessee
Gaining
The Appalachian Trail, Great Smoky Mountains, Ocoee Rapids, Obed climbs
Recommended TN cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
New Jersey
6
/10
Tennessee
9.5
/10
Military Culture
New Jersey
6
/10
Tennessee
8
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst nearby, beach calm, VA resources
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
New Jersey
6
/10
Tennessee
8
/10
Beach Culture
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Tennessee
4
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Boardwalks, roller coasters, saltwater taffy, Stone Pony after-sun encores
Tennessee
Gaining
Norris Lake shores and Percy Priest are not Gulf waves
Recommended TN cities/areas for Beach Bums
Norris LakePercy Priest Lake
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Tennessee
4
/10
Wall Street Life
New Jersey
6
/10
Tennessee
3.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
NJ Transit Midtown Direct, Summit clubs, financial district across Hudson
Tennessee
Gaining
Nashville finance growing, but no NYSE buzz or subways
Recommended TN cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
New Jersey
6
/10
Tennessee
3.5
/10
Tech Scene
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Tennessee
7.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
PATH to Manhattan, Princeton startups, Bell Labs Holmdel echoes
Tennessee
Gaining
Chattanooga gig internet, Oracle's Nashville campus, Oak Ridge brains
Recommended TN cities/areas for Tech Bros
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Tennessee
7.5
/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 New Jersey and living in Tennessee
New JerseyTennessee
How the Way Locals Eat Shifts When You Move from New Jersey to Tennessee
Eating Like a Local in New Jersey
Every diner has something they're famous for. Order that. Don't order something too fancy. Avoid the red sauce unless you have inside information that it doesn't come from a can. Splurge on those amazing looking cakes or pies. And we judge diners by their fries. If their fries aren't good, we might not be back.
Diane BrianteNew Jersey 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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Tax Implications of Uprooting Your Life from New Jersey to Tennessee
New Jersey
Tennessee
New JerseyvsTennessee
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
VS
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Property Taxes
Property TaxesNorth Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
VS
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
The People, Politics, & Religion Picture Between New Jersey and Tennessee
New Jersey
Tennessee
New JerseyvsTennessee
People
PeopleDirect, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
VS
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
VS
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Religion
ReligionLargely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
VS
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
The Real Weather Comparison: New Jersey vs Tennessee
SUMMER
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
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
New Jersey
puffer coat roulette (High Point bites, Cape May shrugs)
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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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 New Jersey, 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
