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
JourneysMoving Journeys|From TNMoving from Tennessee|To NJMoving to New Jersey|Tennessee → New Jersey
Your Tennessee to NJ Relocation Guide: Your Complete Cost Breakdown
Here is a suggested intro for the Tennessee to New Jersey moving guide: Tennessee's rolling hills, lower cost of living, and laid back Southern pace can feel worlds away from the dense neighborhoods, higher taxes, and nonstop energy waiting across the state line in New Jersey. The contrast between these two states runs deeper than geography alone, touching everything from your monthly budget to your daily commute and even the way neighbors interact on the street. Our Snappy Scout team (Mike & Diane) dug into the real costs, logistical hurdles, and lifestyle adjustments you should prepare for before the moving truck pulls out of the driveway.
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We factor in the little things others leave out.
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Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Drive from Tennessee to New Jersey: What to Know
Average distance
950miles
Typical route
I-81 N and I-78 E
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Nashville, TN → Newark, NJ
~950 miles
Memphis, TN → Jersey City, NJ
~1150 miles
Knoxville, TN → Trenton, NJ
~850 miles
Chattanooga, TN → Cherry Hill, NJ
~900 miles
Clarksville, TN → Paterson, NJ
~1000 miles
Should You Move From Tennessee to New Jersey Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to New Jersey 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 New Jersey Moving Cost Explainer
Moving 950 miles from Tennessee to New Jersey 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
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,330.00
1 Bedroom
$1,980.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,250.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,720.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,780.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,530.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,330.00 | 300 | $4.43 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,980.00 | 450 | $4.4 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,250.00 | 750 | $4.33 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,720.00 | 1,100 | $4.29 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,780.00 | 1,600 | $4.24 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,530.00 | 1,800 | $4.18 |
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.
What about your move?
Get a personalized estimate based on the details of your Tennessee → New Jersey move.
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Will You Be Happy After Moving from Tennessee to New Jersey?
Well, it depends. If you're a Binge Shopper, PTA President, or Gamer, you'll thrive in your move to New Jersey. But if you're more of a Homesteader, DIYer, or Retired Snowbird, 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 New Jersey.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TN to NJ
Shopping
Tennessee
6
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Opry Mills marathons, Tanger Sevierville runs, wallet cries happy, the Pinnacle
New Jersey
Gaining
Paramus has more malls per mile than anywhere
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
ParamusShort HillsCherry Hill
Tennessee
6
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
PTA Life
Tennessee
8
/10
New Jersey
9
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Williamson County schools, Brentwood fields, Collierville Friday nights
New Jersey
Gaining
Friday lights, School pride, NJEA bake sale legends
Recommended NJ cities/areas for PTA Presidents
RidgewoodSummitCherry Hill
Tennessee
8
/10
New Jersey
9
/10
Gaming
Tennessee
7
/10
New Jersey
7.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Nashville's Game Terminal, Memphis conventions at Crosstown Concourse, gamer conventions at Meadowview Conference Center
New Jersey
Gaining
Prudential Center esports nights, Yestercades nostalgia, fast gigabit lofts
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Gamers
Tennessee
7
/10
New Jersey
7.5
/10
Homesteading
Tennessee
7.5
/10
New Jersey
3
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Cumberland Plateau acreage, farm coops, Tractor Supply everywhere
New Jersey
Gaining
Pine Barrens acres exist, but taxes tame off grid dreams
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Homesteaders
MontaguePilesgroveChatsworth
Tennessee
7.5
/10
New Jersey
3
/10
DIYers
Tennessee
8.5
/10
New Jersey
6.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Knoxville's HGTV roots, Chattanooga Maker Day vibes
New Jersey
Gaining
Habitat ReStore hauls, Home Depot runs, Millburn Lumber fixes
Recommended NJ cities/areas for DIYers
MaplewoodBloomfieldSomerville
Tennessee
8.5
/10
New Jersey
6.5
/10
Snowbirds
Tennessee
7
/10
New Jersey
5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Tellico Village lakes, low taxes, sunny porch seasons
New Jersey
Gaining
Locals say the "Cape May bubble" keeps that area calm, but winters are colder than Boca Raton
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Ocean CityToms RiverCape May
Tennessee
7
/10
New Jersey
5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New Jersey?
The smell of the ocean. The sound of the seagulls down the shore. The train whistles from the local commuter lines.
– Diane Briante
New Jersey Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Tennessee and living in New Jersey
TennesseeNew Jersey
The Unwritten Dining Rules of Eating Like a Local in Tennessee and New Jersey
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 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 ExpertNew Jersey looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
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Real prices not guesswork
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From Tennessee to New Jersey: How Your Tax World Shakes Out
Tennessee
New Jersey
TennesseevsNew Jersey
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNo tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
VS
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
VS
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Moving from Tennessee to New Jersey: The Cultural, Political, & Religious Difference
Tennessee
New Jersey
TennesseevsNew Jersey
People
PeoplePolite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
VS
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Politics
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
VS
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
VS
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
What Tennessee and New Jersey Locals Know About the Weather
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.
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
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.
New Jersey
puffer coat roulette (High Point bites, Cape May shrugs)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New Jersey
The first day warm enough to hang out on the beach, the leaves changing in the fall - and the taste of my first Curley fries in Wildwood. The best!
Diane BrianteNew Jersey Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
Now put a number
on it.
See what your Tennessee → New Jersey move could actually cost based on your move details—not somebody else's average.
- Personalized
for your move - Real prices
not guesswork - See it
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to New Jersey
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 New Jersey. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New Jersey local experts.
Moving toElizabeth
EWR Roar, 13A, Pastéis, And Port Crane Views
Moving toJersey City
A Deep Look At The Only City To Have Two PATH Stops In Its Limits
Moving toNewark
Ironbound Eats, PATH Zips, Branch Brook Park Blooms
