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 Ohio: Cost of Living Comparison
Tennessee and Ohio sit closer on the map than most people realize, but the cultural and climatic gap between the two states catches plenty of relocators off guard. Trading Nashville's rolling hills and southern hospitality for Cleveland's lakefront grit or Columbus's Midwestern polish is a bigger lifestyle adjustment than the mileage suggests. Winters get noticeably harsher once you cross into Ohio, and the pace of daily life shifts in ways that go beyond the weather. Our Snappy Scout team (Mike & Heather) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
How Long Is the Moving Truck Drive from TN to OH?
Average distance
550miles
Typical route
I-75 N and I-65 N are the major highways you'd drive to get from Tennessee to Ohio
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Nashville, TN → Columbus, OH
~450 miles
Memphis, TN → Cleveland, OH
~700 miles
Knoxville, TN → Cincinnati, OH
~350 miles
Chattanooga, TN → Columbus, OH
~450 miles
Nashville, TN → Cleveland, OH
~600 miles
Should You Move From Tennessee to Ohio Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Ohio 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 Bill from TN to OH?
Moving 550 miles from Tennessee to Ohio will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,500.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,530.00
1 Bedroom
$2,270.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,750.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,440.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,830.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,720.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,530.00 | 300 | $5.1 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,270.00 | 450 | $5.04 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,750.00 | 750 | $5 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,440.00 | 1,100 | $4.95 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,830.00 | 1,600 | $4.89 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,720.00 | 1,800 | $4.84 |
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.
Is OH Right for Your Lifestyle?
Well, it depends. If you're a College Student or Surfer Dude, you'll thrive in your move to Ohio. But if you're more of a Cowboy, Garden Club Lifetime Member, or Tech Bro, 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 Ohio.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TN to OH
University Life
Tennessee
9
/10
Ohio
9.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
UT Vols Saturdays, Vandy coffee runs, Belmont shows, U of Memphis football
Ohio
Gaining
OSU madness, OU fests, Miami traditions, late tacos (and Insomnia Cookies at 2am)
Recommended OH cities/areas for College Students
Tennessee
9
/10
Ohio
9.5
/10
Surfing
Tennessee
3
/10
Ohio
3.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Wake surf Old Hickory Lake, but Beale Street lacks breaks
Ohio
Gaining
Edgewater winter waves exist, but brrr and inconsistent and you'll need a wetsuit until June
Recommended OH cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
ClevelandLorain
Tennessee
3
/10
Ohio
3.5
/10
Cowboys
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Ohio
4.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Franklin horse farms, PBR's Nashville Stampede at Bridgestone Arena
Ohio
Gaining
Ohio State Fair livestock thrills, not true ranch country, just scattered hobby farms and county fairs
Recommended OH cities/areas for Cowboys
CirclevilleDelaware
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Ohio
4.5
/10
Gardener
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Ohio
6.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Cheekwood blooms, Memphis Botanic Garden strolls
Ohio
Gaining
Cleveland Botanical Garden, Franklin Park Conservatory classes bloom and the growing season actually cooperates
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Ohio
6.5
/10
Tech Scene
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Ohio
6.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Chattanooga gig internet, Oracle's Nashville campus, Oak Ridge brains
Ohio
Gaining
Intel New Albany (building a $20 billion chip plant), OSU innovation, low overhead
Recommended OH cities/areas for Tech Bros
ColumbusNew Albany
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Ohio
6.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Ohio?
The cardinals and robins chirping, and the feral howls of OSU football fans.
– Heather Taylor
Ohio Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Tennessee and living in Ohio
TennesseeOhio
The Unspoken Dining Rules in TN and OH
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 Ohio
if you want to eat like a real Buckeye, you gotta get Cincinnati chili the right way. It’s this weird, thin, spiced-up meat sauce (cinnamon and allspice vibes, no beans in the base) served over spaghetti. Don’t call it “chili” like Texas stuff, we know it’s different. Tips on ordering it: 3-way: Spaghetti + chili + a mountain of shredded cheddar cheese.
4-way: Add onions or beans.
5-way: All of it, cheese, onions, and beans.
Always ask for oyster crackers on the side and hit it with hot sauce. And whatever you do, don’t put beans on first if you’re ordering a 4-way, locals will side-eye you hard.
Heather TaylorOhio Local ExpertFrom TN to OH: How Your Tax World Differs
Tennessee
Ohio
TennesseevsOhio
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNo tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Graduated, roughly 0 to 3.99%. Many cities levy 1 to 3%. Columbus is 2.5%, so budget accordingly if you work in the city
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
VS
Ohio
Graduated, roughly 0 to 3.99%. Many cities levy 1 to 3%. Columbus is 2.5%, so budget accordingly if you work in the city
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Higher in Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Delaware, lower in many Appalachian counties. Delaware County property taxes fund those top-rated schools everyone moves there for
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
VS
Ohio
Higher in Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Delaware, lower in many Appalachian counties. Delaware County property taxes fund those top-rated schools everyone moves there for
Moving from TN to OH: The People, Politics, & Religion Reality
Tennessee
Ohio
TennesseevsOhio
People
PeoplePolite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Midwestern nice, sports obsessed, weather tough, proudly local, big on neighborly favors. They'll help you shovel out after a snowstorm without being asked
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
VS
Ohio
Midwestern nice, sports obsessed, weather tough, proudly local, big on neighborly favors. They'll help you shovel out after a snowstorm without being asked
Politics
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Once swingy, trending red statewide, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo reliably blue. But Athens and Oberlin punch way above their weight for progressive pockets
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
VS
Ohio
Once swingy, trending red statewide, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo reliably blue. But Athens and Oberlin punch way above their weight for progressive pockets
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Mostly Christian, Protestant and Catholic strong, notable Amish in Holmes and Geauga, where you can still buy furniture built without power tools, rising nones
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
VS
Ohio
Mostly Christian, Protestant and Catholic strong, notable Amish in Holmes and Geauga, where you can still buy furniture built without power tools, rising nones
Local Experts Weigh In: Seasons in TN vs OH
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.
Ohio
cornfield sauna vibes (sticky 90s in Cincinnati, lake breeze up north). Though Cleveland can hit 85 and feel like 95 with the humidity rolling off the lake
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.
Ohio
gray hoodie chill (Snowbelt gets lake effect wallops, southern Ohio mostly slush). Chardon and Ashtabula regularly bury under feet while Columbus gets a dusting
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Ohio
Spring. This is when the flowers bloom, migratory birds start coming home, nature wakes up, everything starts to open again, people are outside again. I love the spring season in Ohio.
Heather TaylorOhio Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Ohio
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 Ohio. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Ohio local experts.
Moving toCincinnati
Chili 3-Ways, Seven Hills, Rheingeist Roofs
Moving toCleveland
Parka On, Pierogi Up, Avoid Dead Man's Curve
Moving toColumbus
Jeni's, The Shoe, Pop Up Storms. Pack Layers
