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,…”
Read more about me
Making the Move from TN to Idaho: Which State Wins?
Tennessee's rolling hills, live music, and mild southern seasons have a way of making it hard to leave, but thousands of residents make the leap to Idaho every year. The two states share more than people expect, including a relatively low cost of living and a strong sense of community, yet the differences in climate, terrain, and daily life can catch even the most prepared movers off guard. Trading barbecue joints and humid summers for mountain peaks and dry, frigid winters is a bigger adjustment than it sounds on paper. Our Snappy Scout team (Mike & Chandi) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before you start loading the truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Distance from TN to Idaho
Average distance
1,950miles
Typical route
A typical drive from Tennessee to Idaho follows I-40 West through Arkansas and Oklahoma, then connects to I-44 or I-35 heading northwest before picking up I-80 West through Nebraska and Wyoming, and finally I-84 West into Idaho.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Nashville, TN → Boise, ID
~1950 miles
Memphis, TN → Boise, ID
~1900 miles
Knoxville, TN → Boise, ID
~2050 miles
Chattanooga, TN → Idaho Falls, ID
~2100 miles
Nashville, TN → Pocatello, ID
~2000 miles
Should You Move From Tennessee to Idaho Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Idaho 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.
TN to Idaho Mover Prices
Moving 1,950 miles from Tennessee to Idaho will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
4–11days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,270.00
1 Bedroom
$1,870.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,080.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,460.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,410.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,120.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270.00 | 300 | $4.23 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,870.00 | 450 | $4.16 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,080.00 | 750 | $4.11 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,460.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,410.00 | 1,600 | $4.01 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,120.00 | 1,800 | $3.96 |
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.
Should You Relocate from TN to Idaho?
Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader, you'll thrive in your move to Idaho. But if you're more of a Binge Shopper, Vintage Thrifter, or Beach Bum, 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 Idaho.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TN to ID
Homesteading
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Idaho
9
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Cumberland Plateau acreage, farm coops, Tractor Supply everywhere
Idaho
Gaining
Acreage, Snake River water, Caldwell farm auctions, supportive laws
Recommended ID cities/areas for Homesteaders
EmmettCaldwellBonners FerrySandpoint
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Idaho
9
/10
Shopping
Tennessee
6
/10
Idaho
4
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Opry Mills marathons, Tanger Sevierville runs, wallet cries happy, the Pinnacle
Idaho
Gaining
Boise Towne Square scratches itch, but luxury flagships rarely land
Recommended ID cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Tennessee
6
/10
Idaho
4
/10
Thrifting
Tennessee
8
/10
Idaho
6
/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
Idaho
Gaining
Vintage Boise market, Caldwell Goodwill bins, Vandal era finds
Recommended ID cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
Tennessee
8
/10
Idaho
6
/10
Beach Culture
Tennessee
4
/10
Idaho
3
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Norris Lake shores and Percy Priest are not Gulf waves
Idaho
Gaining
Pristine lakes and rivers, but no ocean swells
Recommended ID cities/areas for Beach Bums
Coeur d'Alene City BeachMcCall
Tennessee
4
/10
Idaho
3
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Idaho?
Ashton and Island Park area are where I call home. I know I'm here when I smell the fresh pines. In the Idaho Falls area, it's sage after a rain storm. And my pre-hike ritual always ends with grabbing bear spray on my way out the door.
– Chandi Lyn
Idaho Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Tennessee and living in Idaho
TennesseeIdaho
How the Dining Scene Looks Different When You Move from TN to Idaho
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 Idaho
Many restaurants have Navajo tacos on the menu. It's a Western favorite and there's nothing special to ordering it — though you should ask what the spice level is if you're sensitive to that.
Chandi LynIdaho Local ExpertFrom TN to Idaho: How Your Tax Landscape Lines Up
Tennessee
Idaho
TennesseevsIdaho
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNo tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Flat 5.8% statewide, grocery tax credit helps offset food sales tax
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
VS
Idaho
Flat 5.8% statewide, grocery tax credit helps offset food sales tax
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Ada and Kootenai higher with rapid growth, Eastern Idaho lower, homestead exemption helps
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
VS
Idaho
Ada and Kootenai higher with rapid growth, Eastern Idaho lower, homestead exemption helps
What Shifts About Culture, Politics, & Faith When You Move from TN to Idaho
Tennessee
Idaho
TennesseevsIdaho
People
PeoplePolite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Outdoorsy, neighborly, generally welcoming, always willing to pitch in and help
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
VS
Idaho
Outdoorsy, neighborly, generally welcoming, always willing to pitch in and help
Politics
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Deep red statewide, Boise city tilts blue, Moscow and Sun Valley are progressive pockets
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
VS
Idaho
Deep red statewide, Boise city tilts blue, Moscow and Sun Valley are progressive pockets
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Mostly Christian, strong LDS in eastern Idaho, evangelicals statewide, unaffiliated rising in Boise
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
VS
Idaho
Mostly Christian, strong LDS in eastern Idaho, evangelicals statewide, unaffiliated rising in Boise
What Locals Say About the Weather in TN and Idaho
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.
Idaho
High desert broiler mode (triple digits in Treasure Valley, breezy at the lakes up north).
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.
Idaho
Icebox roulette vibe (Idaho Falls and Rexburg bitter cold, Boise inversion gloom, Panhandle snow globe).
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Idaho
WINTER — the views. The fresh snow covers everything and makes it feel magical. During particularly cold nights, I love to go outside and shine my flashlight on the trees and rocks. The whole world is covered in fairy dust.
SPRING — the crocus. They push up through the snow and offer color to the slushy.
SUMMER — the weather! It's perfect and beautiful.
FALL — bottling my harvest for the year. Fresh jams, peaches, salsa, and everything else! Also hunting. I love having a freezer full of elk.
Chandi LynIdaho Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Idaho
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 Idaho. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Idaho local experts.
Moving toBoise
Blue Turf Brags, Basque Bites, Built-In Bragging Rights
Moving toIdaho Falls
INL Tech By Day, Greenbelt Tacos By Night.
