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 PAMoving to Pennsylvania|Tennessee → Pennsylvania
Relocating from Tennessee to Pennsylvania: Hidden Costs You Need to Know
Swapping the rolling hills of Tennessee for the keystone state of Pennsylvania brings more contrast than most people anticipate. Tennessee living tends to revolve around a slower pace, no state income tax, and a culture deeply rooted in music, southern hospitality, and wide open green spaces. Pennsylvania counters with four distinct seasons that mean business, a dense mix of urban neighborhoods and rural farmland, and a cost of living that shifts dramatically depending on whether you land near Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or somewhere in between. Our Snappy Scout team (Mike & Alyssa) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes worth knowing before you load up the moving truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
How Many Miles Behind the Wheel from Tennessee to Pennsylvania?
Average distance
650miles
Typical route
The drive from Tennessee to Pennsylvania typically takes you along I-81 North and I-40 East, with I-77 North and I-79 North serving as common alternatives depending on your origin and destination cities.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Nashville, TN → Philadelphia, PA
~900 miles
Memphis, TN → Pittsburgh, PA
~800 miles
Knoxville, TN → Philadelphia, PA
~700 miles
Chattanooga, TN → Pittsburgh, PA
~600 miles
Nashville, TN → Allentown, PA
~950 miles
Should You Move From Tennessee to Pennsylvania Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Pennsylvania 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 Ask to Pennsylvania from Tennessee?
Moving 650 miles from Tennessee to Pennsylvania 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
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,480.00
1 Bedroom
$2,200.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,630.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,270.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,580.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,430.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,480.00 | 300 | $4.93 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,200.00 | 450 | $4.89 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,630.00 | 750 | $4.84 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,270.00 | 1,100 | $4.79 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,580.00 | 1,600 | $4.74 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,430.00 | 1,800 | $4.68 |
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 Pennsylvania Right for Your Vibe?
Well, it depends. If you're a Craft Beer Fan or Wall Street Exec, you'll thrive in your move to Pennsylvania. But if you're more of a Retired Military, Binge Shopper, 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 Pennsylvania.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TN to PA
Craft Beer Culture
Tennessee
9
/10
Pennsylvania
9.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Yazoo, Bearded Iris, Knoxville Ale Trail weekends, Tennessee Hills Brewstillery, Johnson City Brewing, Michael Waltrip Brewing Company
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Troegs, Dancing Gnome, Grist House, Hitchhiker Brewing, Yuenglings, Weyerbacher, Spring House Brewing, Yards Brewing, Human Robot, Wissahickon Brewing Company
Recommended PA cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
PhiladelphiaPittsburghHersheyPottsville
Tennessee
9
/10
Pennsylvania
9.5
/10
Wall Street Life
Tennessee
3.5
/10
Pennsylvania
4
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Nashville finance growing, but no NYSE buzz or subways
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Comcast Center views, suburban mansions, but NYC deal flow rules
Recommended PA cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Philadelphia
Tennessee
3.5
/10
Pennsylvania
4
/10
Military Culture
Tennessee
8
/10
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Clarksville near Fort Campbell, VA care in Murfreesboro, Mountain Home VA Medical Center in Johnson City
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Army War College nearby, strong VA networks in Philly
Recommended PA cities/areas for Retired Militaries
CarlislePhiladelphia
Tennessee
8
/10
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Shopping
Tennessee
6
/10
Pennsylvania
4.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Opry Mills marathons, Tanger Sevierville runs, wallet cries happy, the Pinnacle
Pennsylvania
Gaining
KOP Mall slays, Walnut Street dazzles, but no Fifth Avenue
Recommended PA cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
King of PrussiaPhiladelphia
Tennessee
6
/10
Pennsylvania
4.5
/10
DIYers
Tennessee
8.5
/10
Pennsylvania
7
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Knoxville's HGTV roots, Chattanooga Maker Day vibes
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Construction Junction treasures, Lancaster barns beg creative rehabs
Recommended PA cities/areas for DIYers
PittsburghLancaster
Tennessee
8.5
/10
Pennsylvania
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Pennsylvania?
Walking through a farmer's market filled with local vendors selling everything from fresh-picked sweet corn and homemade muffins to vintage records and found art represents the diverse communities in PA.
– Alyssa Kruse
Pennsylvania Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Tennessee and living in Pennsylvania
TennesseePennsylvania
The Real Food Rules of Eating Like a Local in Tennessee and Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania
To order a cheesesteak:
1. Pick your cheese: Whiz, prov, or American (Cooper Sharp is the best)
2. "Wit" or "Witout": do you want fried onions or not (you do!)
3. Move it. You're probably double-parked!
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local ExpertWhat the Move from Tennessee to Pennsylvania Means for Your Tax Situation
Tennessee
Pennsylvania
TennesseevsPennsylvania
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNo tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
VS
Pennsylvania
Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
VS
Pennsylvania
High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
Moving from Tennessee to Pennsylvania: The Values, Beliefs, & Politics Difference
Tennessee
Pennsylvania
TennesseevsPennsylvania
People
PeoplePolite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
VS
Pennsylvania
Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
Politics
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
VS
Pennsylvania
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
VS
Pennsylvania
Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
Locals Weigh In: Seasons in Tennessee vs Pennsylvania
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.
Pennsylvania
Philly subway sauna vibes (sticky 90s with humidity that makes it feel like 100°). The mountain evenings are merciful in the Poconos.
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.
Pennsylvania
choose your own chill. Lake Erie flurries can go blizzard mode, Philly gets slush usually right after you shovel, and the Poconos snow pack gets real cold.
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Pennsylvania
Winter: The smell of snow on the air. Warm cozy fires. Christkindle Markets.
Spring: Blooming daffodils and tulips. Hiking through the waking woods. Rainy days, reading inside.
Summer: Farmer's markets, outdoor music, small town art shows, festivals every weekend.
Fall: Gorgeous foliage, coffeehouse tours, Halloween parades
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Pennsylvania local experts.
