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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Tennessee to New York Move: What It Really Costs
Tennessee and New York sit on opposite ends of nearly every spectrum, from cost of living and climate to pace of life and cultural identity. The rolling hills and southern hospitality of the Volunteer State feel worlds away from the relentless energy and concrete landscape of the Empire State. What looks on paper like a simple northeast relocation often turns into a full lifestyle reinvention once you actually arrive. Our Snappy Scout team (Mike & Alexa) dug into the real costs, logistical hurdles, and day to day adjustments you should prepare for before the moving truck pulls out of the driveway.
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Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Moving Truck Drive from TN to New York: What to Expect
Average distance
950miles
Typical route
I-81 N and I-78 E
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Nashville, TN → New York City, NY
~950 miles
Memphis, TN → New York City, NY
~1100 miles
Knoxville, TN → New York City, NY
~800 miles
Chattanooga, TN → Buffalo, NY
~900 miles
Nashville, TN → Albany, NY
~1000 miles
Should You Move From Tennessee to New York Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to New York 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.
How Much Do Full-Service Movers Charge to New York from TN?
Moving 950 miles from Tennessee to New York 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.
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Will You Settle In After Moving from TN to New York?
Well, it depends. If you're a Minimalist, Tech Bro, or Gamer, you'll thrive in your move to New York. But if you're more of a Homesteader, Adventure Junkie, or DIYer, 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 York.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TN to NY
Minimalism
Tennessee
5
/10
New York
8
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
The Gulch microlofts fit, but suburban sprawl and I-24 overwhelm
New York
Gaining
High Line zen, Muji vibes, tiny space mastery
Recommended NY cities/areas for Minimalists
Long Island CityBattery Park CityWilliamsburg
Tennessee
5
/10
New York
8
/10
Tech Scene
Tennessee
7.5
/10
New York
9
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Chattanooga gig internet, Oracle's Nashville campus, Oak Ridge brains
New York
Gaining
VC chatter, AWS lofts, NYU Tandon meetups
Recommended NY cities/areas for Tech Bros
FlatironDUMBOHudson Yards
Tennessee
7.5
/10
New York
9
/10
Gaming
Tennessee
7
/10
New York
8
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Nashville's Game Terminal, Memphis conventions at Crosstown Concourse, gamer conventions at Meadowview Conference Center
New York
Gaining
Nintendo NY, Barcade nights, RIT esports energy
Tennessee
7
/10
New York
8
/10
Adventure Activities
Tennessee
9.5
/10
New York
6
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
The Appalachian Trail, Great Smoky Mountains, Ocoee Rapids, Obed climbs
New York
Gaining
Gunks climbs, High Peaks bagging, Letchworth's canyon thrills
Recommended NY cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
Adirondack High PeaksShawangunksLetchworth
Tennessee
9.5
/10
New York
6
/10
Homesteading
Tennessee
7.5
/10
New York
4.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Cumberland Plateau acreage, farm coops, Tractor Supply everywhere
New York
Gaining
Acreage exists, winters bite, Ithaca Tractor Supply runs
Recommended NY cities/areas for Homesteaders
Finger LakesCatskillsSt. Lawrence County
Tennessee
7.5
/10
New York
4.5
/10
DIYers
Tennessee
8.5
/10
New York
6.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Knoxville's HGTV roots, Chattanooga Maker Day vibes
New York
Gaining
Brooklyn Makerspace, Industry City workshops, Troy revival fix ups
Recommended NY cities/areas for DIYers
Red HookGowanusTroy
Tennessee
8.5
/10
New York
6.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New York?
The smell of soft pretzels and dirty water dogs, the sound of waves crashing at Jones beach, and the sight of the Manhattan skyline as you cross the Throgs Neck Bridge after a roadtrip.
– Alexa Matthews
New York Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Tennessee and living in New York
TennesseeNew York
The Unspoken Food Rules of Eating Like a Local in TN and New York
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 York
BECSPK is a Sunday ritual. Also, half and half is not something you put in your coffee - it's half iced tea, half lemonade, and it's basically mandatory for a beach day.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local ExpertNew York looking like
the right move?
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From TN to New York: How Your Tax World Lines Up
Tennessee
New York
TennesseevsNew York
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNo tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
VS
New York
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
VS
New York
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
Moving from TN to New York: The People, Politics, & Religion Shift
Tennessee
New York
TennesseevsNew York
People
PeoplePolite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
VS
New York
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Politics
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
VS
New York
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
VS
New York
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
What TN and New York Locals Know About the Climate
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 York
subway sauna chic (sticky in NYC, kinder in the Adirondacks)
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 York
parka plus sass required (lake effect buries Buffalo, slush auditions in Manhattan)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New York
The "ber" months in New York are unmatched. Whether you're apple picking in Hudson valley or cruising the parkway on Long Island to get to your favorite brewery, the vibrant foliage is an instant serotonin boost. And most of the fall months bring impeccable weather -- dry with moderate temperatures -- which give limitless potential to your fall pumpkin patch photoshoot wardrobe.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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on it.
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to New York
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 York. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New York local experts.
Moving toAlbany
Shovel Wars, Stewart's Runs and Egg Lit Sunsets
Moving toBinghamton
Pack Spiedies. LUMA Dazzles. Free Carousels
Moving toBrooklyn
Pack Your Fixie and Your Rent Anxiety
