Tennessee Local Expert
Mike Stover
“I am a Tennessee native who has lived, worked, or worn out tires in all three divisions of the state,…”
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Moving to Florida from TN: Culture Shock You Should Expect
Tennessee and Florida share a Southern identity, but packing up and heading south means trading mountain backdrops and mild summers for flat coastlines and relentless subtropical heat. The cultural overlap can make the move feel familiar at first, yet the day to day reality catches plenty of newcomers off guard. Rolling hills and four distinct seasons give way to a landscape defined by water, wildlife, and weather that never quite cools down. Our Snappy Scout team (Mike & Vanessa) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before loading up the moving truck.
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How Far Are You Actually Moving from Tennessee to FL?
Average distance
700miles
Typical route
Driving from Tennessee to Florida typically takes you along I-75 S or I-65 S connecting to I-10 E or I-4, depending on your destination in Florida.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Nashville, TN → Orlando, FL
~700 miles
Memphis, TN → Miami, FL
~1050 miles
Knoxville, TN → Tampa, FL
~650 miles
Chattanooga, TN → Jacksonville, FL
~500 miles
Nashville, TN → Miami, FL
~1100 miles
Should You Move From Tennessee to Florida Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Florida from Tennessee 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.
Tennessee to FL Moving Company Fees
Moving 700 miles from Tennessee to Florida 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
$1,460.00
1 Bedroom
$2,160.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,560.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,170.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,430.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,270.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,460.00 | 300 | $4.87 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,160.00 | 450 | $4.8 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,560.00 | 750 | $4.75 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,170.00 | 1,100 | $4.7 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,430.00 | 1,600 | $4.64 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,270.00 | 1,800 | $4.59 |
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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Is Moving from Tennessee to FL the Right Decision for You?
Well, it depends. If you're a Surfer Dude, Yoga Instructor, or Dog Momma, you'll thrive in your move to Florida. But if you're more of a Hipster, Stay at Home Mom, or Vintage Thrifter, 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 Tennessee to Florida.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TN to FL
Surfing
Tennessee
3
/10
Florida
9
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Wake surf Old Hickory Lake, but Beale Street lacks breaks
Florida
Gaining
Ron Jon Surf Shop was practically built for you
Recommended FL cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Cocoa BeachNew Smyrna Beach
Tennessee
3
/10
Florida
9
/10
Yoga
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Florida
8.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
12South yoga studios, Chattanooga riverfront sun salutations, Real Hot Yoga & Yoga in the Park
Florida
Gaining
Beach sunrise flows to start the day. You don't need an indoor gym for hot yoga!
Recommended FL cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Florida
8.5
/10
Pet Friendly
Tennessee
8.5
/10
Florida
9
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Shelby Farms off leash, Centennial Dog Park hangouts, Johnson City Dog Park at Willow Springs
Florida
Gaining
Beach dog parks, pup patios, dog-friendly bars, and sunshine walks galore.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Dog Mommas
Tennessee
8.5
/10
Florida
9
/10
Hipsters
Tennessee
8.5
/10
Florida
5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
East Nashville vintage, Cooper Young murals, Third Man Records
Florida
Gaining
Art murals pop, but ironic beards wilt in the humidity.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Hipsters
Tennessee
8.5
/10
Florida
5
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Florida
4.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Murfreesboro playdates, Memphis Zoo memberships, Nashville library storytime
Florida
Gaining
Great schools and sunshine, but theme park chaos looms close.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
WellingtonWestonWindermere
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Florida
4.5
/10
Thrifting
Tennessee
8
/10
Florida
5.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
12South finds, Five Points picks, Memphis Broad Avenue fleas, Hwy. 41 Flea Market, annual 690-mile yard sale along highway 127
Florida
Gaining
Retro Florida flair hides in antique shops and swap meets.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
St. AugustineSarasotaDelray Beach
Tennessee
8
/10
Florida
5.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Florida?
All the festivals and outdoor events! That's why I moved here. I wanted to get outside more, and this state caters to that perfectly. No matter what city you're in, rest assured every weekend there is some big market, festival, event, sports club, or other attraction happening somewhere near you (or a short-ish drive away), all year long.
– Vanessa Leikvoll
Florida Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Tennessee and living in Florida
TennesseeFlorida
How the Dining Scene Changes When You Move from Tennessee to FL
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 StoverTennessee Local ExpertEating Like a Local in Florida
This really varies by where in Florida you are. But, generally, Cuban and Latin-inspired food here is very popular, as well as what I refer to as "beach bar food:" coconut shrimp, grouper bites, crab cakes, gator bites, fish tacos, and of course, margaritas (especially spicy ones with a Tajin rim).
I don't think there are any unspoken rules here, per se, except that you always want to get the freshest fish available, such as mahi mahi or grouper, and skip the conventional white fish.
Vanessa LeikvollFlorida Local ExpertFlorida looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
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From Tennessee to FL: How Your Tax Landscape Looks
Tennessee
Florida
TennesseevsFlorida
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNo tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
VS
Florida
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
VS
Florida
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
What Changes About Values, Beliefs, & Politics When You Move to FL from Tennessee
Tennessee
Florida
TennesseevsFlorida
People
PeoplePolite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
VS
Florida
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Politics
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
VS
Florida
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
VS
Florida
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Leaving Tennessee Seasons Behind: What FL Seasons Actually Feels Like
SUMMER
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.
Florida
Just plain hot (triple digits and 98% humidity in Miami)
WINTER
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.
Florida
Sweater optional (unless you're in the Panhandle, then it's gloves and regret)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Florida
I personally love the holiday season in Florida. No matter where in the state you are, every city seems to go all-out with its decorations, lights, festivities, and holiday markets. Everyone thinks Florida is just year-long summer vibes, but we sure know how to put on our holiday best.
Vanessa LeikvollFlorida Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Florida
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 Tennessee, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Florida. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Florida local experts.
Moving toSt. Petersburg
Glow Shuffle, IPAs, HOAs, Flood Maps
