Tennessee Local Expert
Mike Stover
“He knows Memphis style BBQ is the only real BBQ worth your time or money.”
See full bio
From Tennessee to Utah: The Cultural Shift That Catches People Off Guard
Tennessee's rolling hills, humid summers, and country music culture can feel worlds apart from Utah's red rock landscapes, dry mountain air, and outdoor adventure lifestyle. The two states share a reputation for being relatively affordable and tax friendly, yet the day to day differences will catch plenty of newcomers off guard. Swapping Nashville honky-tonks for Salt Lake City ski resorts is an exciting trade, but there is a lot more to consider before the moving truck pulls out of the driveway. Our Snappy Scout team (Mike & Ann) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to know before packing the first box.
Who's Behind This Guide
Hauling Your Own Move from TN to Utah
Average distance
1,750miles
Typical route
I-40 W and I-15 N are the major highways you'd drive to get from Tennessee to Utah
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Nashville, TN → Salt Lake City, UT
~1800 miles
Memphis, TN → Salt Lake City, UT
~1750 miles
Knoxville, TN → Salt Lake City, UT
~1950 miles
Chattanooga, TN → Salt Lake City, UT
~1900 miles
Nashville, TN → Provo, UT
~1850 miles
Should You Move From Tennessee to Utah Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Utah 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 Professional Movers Bill to Utah from TN?
Moving 1,750 miles from Tennessee to Utah 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
4–11days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,110.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,260.00 | 300 | $4.2 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,860.00 | 450 | $4.13 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,450.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,400.00 | 1,600 | $4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,110.00 | 1,800 | $3.95 |
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 Settle In in Utah?
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, Retired Snowbird, or Yoga Instructor, you'll thrive in your move to Utah. But if you're more of a Coffee Snob, Homesteader, or Foodie, 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 Utah.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TN to UT
Cowboys
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Utah
8.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Franklin horse farms, PBR's Nashville Stampede at Bridgestone Arena
Utah
Gaining
Ogden Pioneer Days, Heber rodeos, Uintah Basin ranch culture, Cross Hollow Arena, Dixie Roundup rodeo.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Cowboys
OgdenHeber CityVernalCedar City
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Utah
8.5
/10
Snowbirds
Tennessee
7
/10
Utah
8
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Tellico Village lakes, low taxes, sunny porch seasons
Utah
Gaining
Warm winters, Snow Canyon hikes, Tuacahn concerts under stars.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
St. GeorgeWashingtonHurricane
Tennessee
7
/10
Utah
8
/10
Yoga
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Utah
7
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
12South yoga studios, Chattanooga riverfront sun salutations, Real Hot Yoga & Yoga in the Park
Utah
Gaining
Sunrise flows at Snowbird, 9th and 9th studios thrive, Sun Rock Yoga.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
Park CitySalt Lake CityMoabSt. George
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Utah
7
/10
Coffee Culture
Tennessee
8.5
/10
Utah
6
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Barista Parlor espresso, Crema roastery, Memphis City & State, Don Gatos Coffee Bar
Utah
Gaining
Publik roasts, La Barba, and Blue Copper cuppings.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Salt Lake CityProvoOgden
Tennessee
8.5
/10
Utah
6
/10
Homesteading
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Utah
5.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Cumberland Plateau acreage, farm coops, Tractor Supply everywhere
Utah
Gaining
Acreage, cold storage, Peach Days runs in Brigham City.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Homesteaders
LoganEphraimHeber City
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Utah
5.5
/10
Foodies
Tennessee
9.5
/10
Utah
8
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Memphis ribs at Central BBQ, Nashville hot chicken
Utah
Gaining
Red Iguana mole, Takashi sushi, Hell's Backbone pilgrimages.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Foodies
Salt Lake CityPark CityBoulder
Tennessee
9.5
/10
Utah
8
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Utah?
Stunning mountain vistas, unrivaled fine art culture, red rocks and the smell of sage after rain!
– Ann Broadbent
Utah Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Tennessee and living in Utah
TennesseeUtah
What No One Tells You About the Food Scene in Utah 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 Utah
Steak, french fries with fry sauce.
Sweet Pork Burrito Supreme with rice and beans, sour cream and guacamole
Ann BroadbentUtah Local ExpertWhat the Move from TN to Utah Means for Your Tax Future
Tennessee
Utah
TennesseevsUtah
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNo tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
VS
Utah
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
VS
Utah
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
Moving to Utah from TN: The People, Politics, & Religion Shift
Tennessee
Utah
TennesseevsUtah
People
PeoplePolite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
VS
Utah
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Politics
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
VS
Utah
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
VS
Utah
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
The Weather in TN and Utah: Straight from the Experts
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.
Utah
Red rock broiler mode (triple digits in St. George, asphalt shimmer in Moab), cool mornings and evenings in northern climbs.
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.
Utah
Mountain freezer (wear that puffy coat along with hat & gloves (Wasatch nights bite, St. George keeps golfing).
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Utah
Spring blooms in Southern Utah, cool summer evenings in Northern Utah, stunning fall colors in Central and Northern Utah, winter snow covered mountains throughout the state, music fests, Peach Days, farmers markets, indoor and outdoor theater, friendly people, breathtaking geography
Ann BroadbentUtah Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Utah
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 Utah. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Utah local experts.
