Tennessee Local Expert
Mike Stover
“He knows Memphis style BBQ is the only real BBQ worth your time or money.”
See full bio
Your Tennessee to TX Relocation Guide: Is It the Right Move for You?
Tennessee and Texas share a reputation for Southern hospitality and no state income tax, but relocating between the two reveals just how different life can actually feel once you unpack. Tennessee offers rolling hills, a lower cost of living, and tight knit communities anchored by music culture and outdoor charm. Texas, on the other hand, delivers an entirely different scale, think massive cities, relentless sunshine, and a pace that is equal parts ambitious and laid back. The climate shift alone catches many movers off guard, trading four mild seasons for summers that stretch well past what most Tennesseans consider reasonable. Our Snappy Scout team (Mike & Francesca) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle adjustments worth knowing before you start loading the truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
Driving Your Own Move from TN to TX
Average distance
850miles
Typical route
The most common driving routes from Tennessee to Texas typically follow I-40 West to I-30 West, or I-24 West connecting to I-40 or I-20, depending on your origin and destination city.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Nashville, TN → Dallas, TX
~650 miles
Memphis, TN → Houston, TX
~600 miles
Knoxville, TN → Austin, TX
~1000 miles
Chattanooga, TN → San Antonio, TX
~1000 miles
Nashville, TN → El Paso, TX
~1500 miles
How Much Do Professional Movers Bill from TN to TX?
Moving 850 miles from Tennessee to Texas will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,000.00
Expected Time
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,380.00
1 Bedroom
$2,040.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,370.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,890.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,040.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,830.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,380.00 | 300 | $4.6 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,040.00 | 450 | $4.53 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,370.00 | 750 | $4.49 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,890.00 | 1,100 | $4.45 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,040.00 | 1,600 | $4.4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,830.00 | 1,800 | $4.35 |
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.
How Well Will You Adapt in TX?
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy or Tech Bro, you'll thrive in your move to Texas. But if you're more of a Retired Military, Stay at Home Mom, or Coffee Snob, 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 Texas.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TN to TX
Cowboys
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Texas
9.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Franklin horse farms, PBR's Nashville Stampede at Bridgestone Arena
Texas
Gaining
Fort Worth Stockyards rodeos and Amarillo’s Big Texan steak challenge
Recommended TX cities/areas for Cowboys
Fort WorthAmarillo
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Texas
9.5
/10
Tech Scene
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Texas
8
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Chattanooga gig internet, Oracle's Nashville campus, Oak Ridge brains
Texas
Gaining
Austin’s laid back Silicon Hills startups and Plano’s corporate tech parks
Recommended TX cities/areas for Tech Bros
AustinPlano
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Texas
8
/10
Military Culture
Tennessee
8
/10
Texas
2
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Clarksville near Fort Campbell, VA care in Murfreesboro, Mountain Home VA Medical Center in Johnson City
Texas
Gaining
Bases anchor life though cities sprawl without coastal charm
Recommended TX cities/areas for Retired Militaries
San AntonioKilleen
Tennessee
8
/10
Texas
2
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Texas
3
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Murfreesboro playdates, Memphis Zoo memberships, Nashville library storytime
Texas
Gaining
Family-friendly suburbs abound but summer heat tests patience
Recommended TX cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
FriscoThe Woodlands
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Texas
3
/10
Coffee Culture
Tennessee
8.5
/10
Texas
5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Barista Parlor espresso, Crema roastery, Memphis City & State, Don Gatos Coffee Bar
Texas
Gaining
Austin’s Houndstooth Coffee aces traditional espresso, and Ascension Coffee in Dallas offers gourmet twists
Recommended TX cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
AustinDallas
Tennessee
8.5
/10
Texas
5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Texas?
Summer thunderstorms in Texas are loud, powerful, and offer a welcome break from the heat.
– Francesca Hernandez-Singer
Texas Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Tennessee and living in Texas
TennesseeTexas
What No One Tells You About Eating in TX When You're from TN
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 Texas
Breakfast tacos are on flour tortillas, BBQ means beef, and the margaritas come with salt on the rim unless you order without.
Francesca Hernandez-SingerLocal Texas ExpertWhat the Move from TN to TX Means for Your Tax Reality
Tennessee
Texas
TennesseevsTexas
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNo tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
None, zero percent statewide!!
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
VS
Texas
None, zero percent statewide!!
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Houston and Dallas areas higher, smaller cities slightly lower
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
VS
Texas
Houston and Dallas areas higher, smaller cities slightly lower
Moving to TX from TN: The Cultural, Political, & Religious Reality
Tennessee
Texas
TennesseevsTexas
People
PeoplePolite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Famously friendly, fiercely proud, big on hospitality
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
VS
Texas
Famously friendly, fiercely proud, big on hospitality
Politics
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Deep red roots, but cities (especially Austin) swing progressive
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
VS
Texas
Deep red roots, but cities (especially Austin) swing progressive
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist presence, growing diversity
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
VS
Texas
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist presence, growing diversity
The Weather in TN and TX: Straight from the People Who Live There
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.
Texas
blast furnace (triple digits in West Texas)
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.
Texas
light sweater tease (except in the Panhandle, where you'll happily don long johns and fleece-lined outerlayers)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Texas
Outdoor music venues and food & wine festivals are still going strong in October!
Francesca Hernandez-SingerLocal Texas ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Texas
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 Texas. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Texas local experts.
Moving toAustin
Prep for Tacos, Traffic & Endless Live Music
