Tennessee Local Expert
Mike Stover
“He knows Memphis style BBQ is the only real BBQ worth your time or money.”
See full bio
Making the Move from TN to Virginia: Red State, Blue State — What Really Changes
Tennessee and Virginia share a border and a stretch of the Appalachian Mountains, yet relocating between the two states brings more change than that geographic proximity might suggest. Tennessee's laid back pace, absence of state income tax, and affordable cost of living have won over millions of residents, while Virginia pulls newcomers with its strong job market, proximity to Washington D.C., and a mix of coastal and mountain landscapes all within one state. The cultural rhythms, housing costs, and daily routines shift more than most people expect once the moving truck pulls away. Our Snappy Scout team (Mike & Laura) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle differences you need to know before you start loading boxes.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Drive from Tennessee to Virginia
Average distance
400miles
Typical route
I-81 N and I-26 E are the major highways you'd drive to get from Tennessee to Virginia
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Nashville, TN → Richmond, VA
~650 miles
Memphis, TN → Virginia Beach, VA
~950 miles
Knoxville, TN → Roanoke, VA
~250 miles
Chattanooga, TN → Bristol, VA
~200 miles
Johnson City, TN → Arlington, VA
~450 miles
How Much Do Professional Movers Ask to Virginia from Tennessee?
Moving 400 miles from Tennessee to Virginia 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
$1,600.00
1 Bedroom
$2,380.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,930.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,710.00
4 Bedrooms
$8,220.00
5+ Bedrooms
$9,160.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,600.00 | 300 | $5.33 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,380.00 | 450 | $5.29 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,930.00 | 750 | $5.24 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,710.00 | 1,100 | $5.19 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $8,220.00 | 1,600 | $5.14 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $9,160.00 | 1,800 | $5.09 |
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 Feel at Home in Virginia?
Well, it depends. If you're a Tech Bro or Wall Street Exec, you'll thrive in your move to Virginia. But if you're more of a Cowboy, 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 Virginia.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TN to VA
Tech Scene
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Virginia
9
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Chattanooga gig internet, Oracle's Nashville campus, Oak Ridge brains
Virginia
Gaining
AWS in Herndon, Metro Silver Line commutes.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Tech Bros
ArlingtonRestonTysons
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Virginia
9
/10
Wall Street Life
Tennessee
3.5
/10
Virginia
4
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Nashville finance growing, but no NYSE buzz or subways
Virginia
Gaining
Big deals adjacent, but not Manhattan. Expect federal contractors.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Rosslyn
Tennessee
3.5
/10
Virginia
4
/10
Cowboys
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Virginia
3
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Franklin horse farms, PBR's Nashville Stampede at Bridgestone Arena
Virginia
Gaining
Hunt country elegance, but rodeos not Fort Worth big.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Cowboys
MiddleburgWytheville
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Virginia
3
/10
Shopping
Tennessee
6
/10
Virginia
4.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Opry Mills marathons, Tanger Sevierville runs, wallet cries happy, the Pinnacle
Virginia
Gaining
Great malls, but wallet cries during NOVA traffic purgatory.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
TysonsShort PumpPentagon City
Tennessee
6
/10
Virginia
4.5
/10
DIYers
Tennessee
8.5
/10
Virginia
7.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Knoxville's HGTV roots, Chattanooga Maker Day vibes
Virginia
Gaining
Habitat ReStore hauls and Carytown salvage treasures.
Recommended VA cities/areas for DIYers
RichmondNorfolk GhentFredericksburg
Tennessee
8.5
/10
Virginia
7.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Virginia?
Smell: Pig slow-cooking in the cooker
Sound: Rolling waves at the beach, and even an occasional beach day in December or January
Event: Blue Angel and Thunderbird Air Show
– Laura Gray
Virginia Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Tennessee and living in Virginia
TennesseeVirginia
What No One Tells You About What's on the Menu in Virginia When You're from Tennessee
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 Virginia
What do locals actually order in the Hampton Roads area: White dip with their Mexican chips, She Crab Soup, and an Orange Crush, a one-of-a-kind kind of drink.
Laura GrayVirginia Local ExpertWhat the Move from Tennessee to Virginia Does for Your Taxes
Tennessee
Virginia
TennesseevsVirginia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNo tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
VS
Virginia
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
VS
Virginia
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
Moving to Virginia from Tennessee: The People, Politics, & Religion Difference
Tennessee
Virginia
TennesseevsVirginia
People
PeoplePolite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
VS
Virginia
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Politics
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
VS
Virginia
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
VS
Virginia
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
The Climate in Tennessee and Virginia: 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.
Virginia
sweet tea sauna (Chesapeake breathes on you, Roanoke bakes by noon)
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.
Virginia
coat roulette (Blue Ridge bites, Hampton Roads shrugs and rains)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Virginia
Spring: Burnside Farm's Tulip Festival (Holland in our own backyard)
Summer: Acres of sunflower fields and festivals
Fall: Fall foliage along the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway
Winter: A 1/4" of snow for a snow day off school
Laura GrayVirginia Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Virginia
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 Virginia. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Virginia local experts.
Moving toNorfolk
HRBT Jams, King Tides, And Mermaid Happy Hours
Moving toCharlottesville
Prep for Wine, Jeffersonian Guilt
Moving toHampton