Moving to Georgia from TN: How Life Changes After the Move

Tennessee and Georgia share a border, a love of sweet tea, and more Southern charm than most people can handle, yet relocating between the two states comes with more nuance than neighbors might expect. Tennessee tempts residents with its lack of income tax and rolling mountain scenery, while Georgia counters with a booming economy, coastal access, and a cultural energy centered around one of the fastest growing cities in the country. The pace, the costs, and the community feel can shift more than you anticipate once the moving truck pulls out of the driveway. Our Snappy Scout team (Mike & Sabrina) dug into the real numbers, the logistics, and the lifestyle differences you need to know before you start stacking boxes.
Moving from Tennessee to Georgia featured image

Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move

Just How Far Is the Move from Tennessee to Georgia?

Average distance
200miles
Typical route
I-75 S and I-24 E are the major highways you'd drive to get from Tennessee to Georgia

Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):

Nashville, TN Atlanta, GA
~250 miles
Chattanooga, TN Atlanta, GA
~100 miles
Knoxville, TN Atlanta, GA
~200 miles
Memphis, TN Atlanta, GA
~400 miles
Chattanooga, TN Savannah, GA
~350 miles
Residential neighborhood shots across Atlanta
Moving to Georgia means getting to call neighborhoods like Midtown, Virginia-Highland, Little Five Points, or East Atlanta in Atlanta home.

Tennessee to Georgia Moving Company Quotes

Moving 200 miles from Tennessee to Georgia 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
29days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,710.00
1 Bedroom
$2,530.00
2 Bedrooms
$4,180.00
3 Bedrooms
$6,080.00
4 Bedrooms
$8,760.00
5+ Bedrooms
$9,770.00
Home SizeMoving CostVolume (ft³)$/ft³
Studio$1,710.00300$5.7
1 Bedroom$2,530.00450$5.62
2 Bedrooms$4,180.00750$5.57
3 Bedrooms$6,080.001,100$5.53
4 Bedrooms$8,760.001,600$5.47
5+ Bedrooms$9,770.001,800$5.43
Snappy Scout camel
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.
comparison of housing options and types between neighborhoods in Tennessee and Georgia
What it looks like to swap housing options from Tennessee housing to Georgia living.

Should You Move from Tennessee to Georgia?

Well, it depends. If you're a Stay at Home Mom, College Student, or PTA President, you'll thrive in your move to Georgia. But if you're more of a DIYer, Tech Bro, or CrossFit Regular, 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 Georgia.

Top 3 winners and losers moving from TN to GA

Stay At Home Moms
Verdict: Similar
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Georgia
8.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Murfreesboro playdates, Memphis Zoo memberships, Nashville library storytime
Georgia
Gaining
Family suburbs, golf cart paths, excellent school districts
Recommended GA cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
Johns CreekAlpharettaPeachtree City
University Life
Verdict: Similar
Tennessee
9
/10
Georgia
9.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
UT Vols Saturdays, Vandy coffee runs, Belmont shows, U of Memphis football
Georgia
Gaining
UGA spirit, Georgia Tech innovation, Georgia Southern pride
Recommended GA cities/areas for College Students
AthensAtlantaStatesboro
PTA Life
Verdict: Similar
Tennessee
8
/10
Georgia
8.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Williamson County schools, Brentwood fields, Collierville Friday nights
Georgia
Gaining
Top schools, community events, parent networks thrive here
Recommended GA cities/areas for PTA Presidents
MariettaMiltonMadison
DIYers
Verdict: Loser
Tennessee
8.5
/10
Georgia
6
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Knoxville's HGTV roots, Chattanooga Maker Day vibes
Georgia
Gaining
Historic homes, renovation potential, Home Depot headquarters nearby
Recommended GA cities/areas for DIYers
DecaturAthensSmyrna
Tech Scene
Verdict: Loser
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Georgia
5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Chattanooga gig internet, Oracle's Nashville campus, Oak Ridge brains
Georgia
Gaining
Atlanta's tech scene grows but lacks Silicon Valley clout
Recommended GA cities/areas for Tech Bros
AtlantaAlpharetta
Fitness
Verdict: Loser
Tennessee
8
/10
Georgia
6.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Nashville WOD scene, Knoxville throwdowns at World's Fair Park, RidgeRunner Crossfit
Georgia
Gaining
Endless boxes, fitness culture strong, humid outdoor WODs
Recommended GA cities/areas for CrossFit Regulars
AtlantaAlpharettaAugusta
Local Perspective

What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Georgia?

In the early spring, yellow daffodils begin to pop up along every roadway and yard. It makes me know that t-shirt and shorts weather is just around the corner.
Sabrina Wells
Georgia Local
comparison of hotspots between neighborhoods in Tennessee and Georgia
How you'll spend your free time living in Georgia will also be different than what you're used to in Tennessee.

Lifestyle differences between living in Tennessee and living in Georgia

TennesseeGeorgia

How the Dining Scene Shifts When You Move from Tennessee to Georgia

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 Stover profile pictureMike StoverTennessee Local Expert

Eating Like a Local in Georgia

If Brunswick Stew is on the menu, don't hesitate to order it. And if it's got a bit of heat to it even better, but if not they're sure to have a variety of hot sauces available to spice it up.

Sabrina Wells profile pictureSabrina WellsGeorgia Local Expert

From Tennessee to Georgia: How Your Tax Landscape Shakes Out

TennesseevsGeorgia
State Income Tax
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
VS
Georgia
Flat 5.49% on all income
Property Taxes
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
VS
Georgia
Metro Atlanta higher, rural counties lower, overall moderate statewide
Homes across Georgia
A sampling of housing you might be paying property tax on across Georgia. Featuring the towns of Savannah, Atlanta, and Macon.

What Shifts About People, Politics, & Religion When You Move from Tennessee to Georgia

TennesseevsGeorgia
People
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
VS
Georgia
Southern charm personified, warm hospitality with genuine politeness baked in until they get on 285
Politics
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
VS
Georgia
Purple battleground, Atlanta and it's surrounding counties learn strong blue, surrounded by a sea of red
Religion
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
VS
Georgia
Predominantly Christian, heavy Baptist influence, Atlanta brings religious diversity
Comparing the state capitol buildings between Tennessee and Georgia.
The Tennessee state capitol building in Nashville compared to the Georgia state capitol building in Atlanta.

Leaving Tennessee Seasons Behind: What Georgia Seasons Really Looks 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.

Georgia

satan's sauna setting (90s with bonus swamp air)

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.

Georgia

negotiable flannel season (mountains get actual snow)

My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Georgia

Late spring in Savannah, the weather is perfect, warm but not hot and low humidity. The town is alive with locals, not tourists, and it's a downright pleasant stroll through the haunted graveyards.

Sabrina Wells profile pictureSabrina WellsGeorgia Local Expert

Next Steps

Learn More About Moving to Georgia

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 Georgia. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Georgia local experts.