Tennessee Local Expert
Mike Stover
“He knows Memphis style BBQ is the only real BBQ worth your time or money.”
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JourneysMoving Journeys|From TNMoving from Tennessee|To WVMoving to West Virginia|Tennessee → West Virginia
Moving from Tennessee to WV: The Honest Comparison
Tennessee and West Virginia share a border, a love of mountain scenery, and a deep Appalachian heritage, yet relocating between the two states brings more change than most people anticipate. Tennessee lures residents with its lively music scene, growing metro areas, and a complete absence of state income tax, while West Virginia counters with lower home prices, quieter communities, and some of the most rugged natural beauty in the entire eastern United States. The slower pace and rural character of the Mountain State can feel like a genuine culture shift, even for those coming from smaller Tennessee towns. Our Snappy Scout team (Mike & Hannah) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle adjustments you need to know about before you start loading the moving truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
How to Get from TN to West Virginia with a Moving Truck
Average distance
450miles
Typical route
The drive from Tennessee to West Virginia typically takes you along I-81 North and I-77 North, passing through Virginia before entering West Virginia.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Nashville, TN → Charleston, WV
~450 miles
Knoxville, TN → Charleston, WV
~300 miles
Memphis, TN → Huntington, WV
~600 miles
Chattanooga, TN → Charleston, WV
~350 miles
Nashville, TN → Morgantown, WV
~550 miles
Should You Move From Tennessee to West Virginia Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to West Virginia 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 Long-Distance Movers Charge to West Virginia from TN?
Moving 450 miles from Tennessee to West 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
$1,570.00
1 Bedroom
$2,340.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,870.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,620.00
4 Bedrooms
$8,100.00
5+ Bedrooms
$9,020.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,570.00 | 300 | $5.23 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,340.00 | 450 | $5.2 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,870.00 | 750 | $5.16 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,620.00 | 1,100 | $5.11 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $8,100.00 | 1,600 | $5.06 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $9,020.00 | 1,800 | $5.01 |
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 Will Your Current TN Lifestyle Hold Up in West Virginia?
Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader or Yoga Instructor, you'll thrive in your move to West Virginia. But if you're more of a Tech Bro, Coffee Snob, or Retired Military, 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 West Virginia.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TN to WV
Homesteading
Tennessee
7.5
/10
West Virginia
9
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Cumberland Plateau acreage, farm coops, Tractor Supply everywhere
West Virginia
Gaining
Monroe County hollers, WVU Extension workshops, the annual WV Strawberry Festival
Recommended WV cities/areas for Homesteaders
MoorefieldUnionBuckhannon
Tennessee
7.5
/10
West Virginia
9
/10
Yoga
Tennessee
6.5
/10
West Virginia
7
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
12South yoga studios, Chattanooga riverfront sun salutations, Real Hot Yoga & Yoga in the Park
West Virginia
Gaining
Fayetteville sunrise flows, Snowshoe retreats, WVU Rec Center wellness
Recommended WV cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
Tennessee
6.5
/10
West Virginia
7
/10
Tech Scene
Tennessee
7.5
/10
West Virginia
4
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Chattanooga gig internet, Oracle's Nashville campus, Oak Ridge brains
West Virginia
Gaining
Morgantown's startups exist, but it's no Silicon Valley
Recommended WV cities/areas for Tech Bros
Tennessee
7.5
/10
West Virginia
4
/10
Coffee Culture
Tennessee
8.5
/10
West Virginia
6
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Barista Parlor espresso, Crema roastery, Memphis City & State, Don Gatos Coffee Bar
West Virginia
Gaining
Lost Dog Coffee, TipTop, Mea Cuppa
Recommended WV cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Tennessee
8.5
/10
West Virginia
6
/10
Military Culture
Tennessee
8
/10
West Virginia
5.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Clarksville near Fort Campbell, VA care in Murfreesboro, Mountain Home VA Medical Center in Johnson City
West Virginia
Gaining
Martinsburg VA care, Beckley VA care, quiet Eastern Panhandle neighborhoods
Recommended WV cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Tennessee
8
/10
West Virginia
5.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of West Virginia?
For me, West Virginia is so hard to encapsulate with one image or experience, but I'm always reminded of West Virginia as home when driving on I-79, when I can wind through the hillsides and see cows grazing.
– Hannah Wyatt
West Virginia Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Tennessee and living in West Virginia
TennesseeWest Virginia
TN vs West Virginia: Food Fight
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 West Virginia
Everybody talks about pepperoni rolls when the topic of West Virginia food comes up. But there's so much more to enjoy - from springtime ramps to autumn pawpaw fruit, apple butter festivals, and more! In Helvetia - a Swiss-settled town in Randolph County - you can enjoy Swiss Appalachian cuisine in The Hütte.
Hannah WyattWest Virginia Local ExpertWhat the Move from TN to West Virginia Does for Your Tax Situation
Tennessee
West Virginia
TennesseevsWest Virginia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNo tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Graduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
VS
West Virginia
Graduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Generally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
VS
West Virginia
Generally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
Moving to West Virginia from TN: The Values, Beliefs, & Politics Shift
Tennessee
West Virginia
TennesseevsWest Virginia
People
PeoplePolite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Mountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
VS
West Virginia
Mountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
Politics
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
VS
West Virginia
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
VS
West Virginia
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
The Seasons in TN and West Virginia: Straight from the Locals
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.
West Virginia
porch swing sauna (muggy in river valleys, pleasant and more breezy on high ridges)
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.
West Virginia
flannel-mandatory, with the most frigid weather in higher-elevation counties like Tucker County, home to Canaan Valley
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in West Virginia
Each summer, the color of west Virginia comes alive. There's a haziness to the trees and flowers, and driving down the Interstate, you can see rows of mountain ridges against the horizon. It's a special, natural beauty unlike anything you'll find elsewhere.
Hannah WyattWest Virginia Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to West 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 West Virginia. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from West Virginia local experts.
Moving toBeckley
Pack Your Parking Brake and Prepare for a Slower Pace of Life
Moving toCharleston
Trails, Taps, Gold Dome Views, Flood Checks
Moving toClarksburg