Pennsylvania Local Expert
Alyssa Kruse
“She reads 200 books a year and knits her own snuggle blankets”
See full bio
JourneysMoving Journeys|From PAMoving from Pennsylvania|To TNMoving to Tennessee|Pennsylvania → Tennessee
Relocating from Pennsylvania to Tennessee: Biggest Mistakes to Avoid
Trading the Keystone State for the Volunteer State comes with more contrast than most people expect. Pennsylvania grounds you in four distinct seasons, a mix of industrial history and Appalachian scenery, and a cost of living that varies wildly between Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and everywhere in between. Tennessee, on the other hand, pulls newcomers in with milder winters, no state income tax, and a culture built around music, outdoor adventure, and genuine Southern hospitality. The pace feels looser, the summers hit harder, and the community ties run deep in ways that take a little time to appreciate. Our Snappy Scout team (Alyssa & Mike) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should plan around before you load up that first moving truck.
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Who's Behind This Guide
The Moving Truck Road from Pennsylvania to Tennessee
Average distance
750miles
Typical route
I-81 S and I-40 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Philadelphia, PA → Nashville, TN
~900 miles
Pittsburgh, PA → Nashville, TN
~750 miles
Philadelphia, PA → Memphis, TN
~1050 miles
Pittsburgh, PA → Knoxville, TN
~600 miles
Allentown, PA → Chattanooga, TN
~850 miles
Should You Move From Pennsylvania to Tennessee Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Tennessee from Pennsylvania 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 Does It Really Cost to Move from Pennsylvania to Tennessee?
Moving 750 miles from Pennsylvania 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
$1,420.00
1 Bedroom
$2,120.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,490.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,070.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,300.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,120.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,420.00 | 300 | $4.73 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,120.00 | 450 | $4.71 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,490.00 | 750 | $4.65 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,070.00 | 1,100 | $4.61 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,300.00 | 1,600 | $4.56 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,120.00 | 1,800 | $4.51 |
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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Get a personalized estimate based on the details of your Pennsylvania → Tennessee move.
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Should You Relocate from Pennsylvania to Tennessee?
Well, it depends. If you're a Retired Snowbird, Tech Bro, or Cowboy, you'll thrive in your move to Tennessee. But if you're more of a Minimalist or Gamer, 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 Pennsylvania to Tennessee.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from PA to TN
Snowbirds
Pennsylvania
3.5
/10
Tennessee
7
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Dutch Country charm, Hersheypark grandkids bait, but winters bite hard
Tennessee
Gaining
Tellico Village lakes, low taxes, sunny porch seasons
Recommended TN cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Tellico VillageKnoxville
Pennsylvania
3.5
/10
Tennessee
7
/10
Tech Scene
Pennsylvania
5.5
/10
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
CMU robotics, Argo AI alumni, uCity Square startups buzzing
Tennessee
Gaining
Chattanooga gig internet, Oracle's Nashville campus, Oak Ridge brains
Recommended TN cities/areas for Tech Bros
Pennsylvania
5.5
/10
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Cowboys
Pennsylvania
5
/10
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Bloomsburg Fair and rodeos exist, but this is not Fort Worth
Tennessee
Gaining
Franklin horse farms, PBR's Nashville Stampede at Bridgestone Arena
Recommended TN cities/areas for Cowboys
FranklinMurfreesboro
Pennsylvania
5
/10
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Minimalism
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Tennessee
5
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Loft living, SEPTA and Port Authority simplify life
Tennessee
Gaining
The Gulch microlofts fit, but suburban sprawl and I-24 overwhelm
Recommended TN cities/areas for Minimalists
The GulchDowntown Knoxville
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Tennessee
5
/10
Gaming
Pennsylvania
7.5
/10
Tennessee
7
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Nerd Street events, Replay FX legacy, Oaks Expo cons
Tennessee
Gaining
Nashville's Game Terminal, Memphis conventions at Crosstown Concourse, gamer conventions at Meadowview Conference Center
Pennsylvania
7.5
/10
Tennessee
7
/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 Pennsylvania and living in Tennessee
PennsylvaniaTennessee
The Dining Differences Between Pennsylvania and Tennessee
Eating Like a Local in Pennsylvania
To order a cheesesteak:
1. Pick your cheese: Whiz, prov, or American (Cooper Sharp is the best)
2. "Wit" or "Witout": do you want fried onions or not (you do!)
3. Move it. You're probably double-parked!
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania 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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Is Tennessee a More Tax-Friendly State for Your Tax Bill?
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
PennsylvaniavsTennessee
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Pennsylvania
Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
VS
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigh in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Pennsylvania
High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
VS
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
How People, Politics, & Religion Compare Between Pennsylvania and Tennessee
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
PennsylvaniavsTennessee
People
PeopleGritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Pennsylvania
Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
VS
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Politics
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Pennsylvania
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
VS
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Pennsylvania
Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
VS
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
What Shifts About the Weather When You Move from Pennsylvania to Tennessee
SUMMER
Pennsylvania
Philly subway sauna vibes (sticky 90s with humidity that makes it feel like 100°). The mountain evenings are merciful in the Poconos.
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
Pennsylvania
choose your own chill. Lake Erie flurries can go blizzard mode, Philly gets slush usually right after you shovel, and the Poconos snow pack gets real cold.
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 Pennsylvania, 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
