Texas Local Expert
Francesca Hernandez-Singer
“I'm a Texas native who somehow lived in 5 countries, 4 states, and 12 cities before admitting that no place…”
Read more about me
Your Texas to TN Relocation Guide: Tips to Make It Stress-Free
Texas and Tennessee share a certain Southern spirit, but trading the Lone Star State for the Volunteer State brings more change than most people anticipate. The wide open highways and sprawling metros of Texas give way to rolling hills, river valleys, and a slower, music soaked culture that feels familiar yet distinctly different. Cost of living, climate, and daily routines all shift in ways that catch newcomers off guard. Our Snappy Scout team (Francesca & Mike) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle adjustments you should expect before you load up the moving truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
How Many Miles Behind the Wheel from Texas to TN?
Average distance
1,000miles
Typical route
The drive from Texas to Tennessee typically takes you along I-30 E, I-40 E, and I-55 N depending on your origin and destination cities.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Dallas, TX → Nashville, TN
~650 miles
Houston, TX → Memphis, TN
~800 miles
Austin, TX → Nashville, TN
~900 miles
San Antonio, TX → Memphis, TN
~950 miles
El Paso, TX → Nashville, TN
~1550 miles
Should You Move From Texas to Tennessee Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Tennessee from Texas 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.
What's the Expected Cost to Move from Texas to TN?
Moving 1,000 miles from Texas to Tennessee 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
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,310.00
1 Bedroom
$1,940.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,190.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,630.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,650.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,390.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,310.00 | 300 | $4.37 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,940.00 | 450 | $4.31 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,190.00 | 750 | $4.25 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,630.00 | 1,100 | $4.21 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,650.00 | 1,600 | $4.16 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,390.00 | 1,800 | $4.11 |
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.
Will Your Lifestyle Translate in TN?
Well, it depends. If you're a PTA President, Garden Club Lifetime Member, or Gamer, you'll thrive in your move to Tennessee. But if you're more of a Surfer Dude, 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 Texas to Tennessee.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TX to TN
PTA Life
Texas
2.5
/10
Tennessee
8
/10
Texas
Giving up
Top schools thrive but Texas football's Friday night lights always outshine bake sales
Tennessee
Gaining
Williamson County schools, Brentwood fields, Collierville Friday nights
Recommended TN cities/areas for PTA Presidents
BrentwoodFranklinCollierville
Texas
2.5
/10
Tennessee
8
/10
Gardener
Texas
3.5
/10
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Texas
Giving up
Tyler Rose Garden shines but summers scorch delicate blooms
Tennessee
Gaining
Cheekwood blooms, Memphis Botanic Garden strolls
Recommended TN cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
NashvilleMemphis
Texas
3.5
/10
Tennessee
7.5
/10
Gaming
Texas
4
/10
Tennessee
7
/10
Texas
Giving up
SXSW Gaming buzz exists, though eSports scene is a bit smaller than California
Tennessee
Gaining
Nashville's Game Terminal, Memphis conventions at Crosstown Concourse, gamer conventions at Meadowview Conference Center
Recommended TN cities/areas for Gamers
Texas
4
/10
Tennessee
7
/10
Surfing
Texas
5.5
/10
Tennessee
3
/10
Texas
Giving up
South Padre waves are decent even if they never reach the heights of California curls
Tennessee
Gaining
Wake surf Old Hickory Lake, but Beale Street lacks breaks
Recommended TN cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Old Hickory Lake
Texas
5.5
/10
Tennessee
3
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Tennessee?
Not many Tennesseeans grow tobacco anymore, but old tobacco barns still stand everywhere. The sight and smell of them take me back to early Saturday mornings heading to the field, loading wagons, and pulling into the barn to hang tobacco stalks for drying. It was hard work, but Tennesseeans neve shy away from challenges. That's why we are the Volunteer State.
– Mike Stover
Tennessee Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Texas and living in Tennessee
TexasTennessee
What Life at the Table Looks Like in Texas vs TN
Eating 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 ExpertEating 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 ExpertWhat the Move from Texas to TN Saves You for Your Tax Life
Texas
Tennessee
TexasvsTennessee
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNone, zero percent statewide!!
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Texas
None, zero percent statewide!!
VS
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHouston and Dallas areas higher, smaller cities slightly lower
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Texas
Houston and Dallas areas higher, smaller cities slightly lower
VS
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
What Separates Texas and TN: Values, Beliefs, & Politics
Texas
Tennessee
TexasvsTennessee
People
PeopleFamously friendly, fiercely proud, big on hospitality
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Texas
Famously friendly, fiercely proud, big on hospitality
VS
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Politics
Deep red roots, but cities (especially Austin) swing progressive
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Texas
Deep red roots, but cities (especially Austin) swing progressive
VS
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Baptist presence, growing diversity
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Texas
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist presence, growing diversity
VS
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
What a Texas Local and a TN Local Think About the Seasons
SUMMER
Texas
blast furnace (triple digits in West Texas)
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.
WINTER
Texas
light sweater tease (except in the Panhandle, where you'll happily don long johns and fleece-lined outerlayers)
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.
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Tennessee
Fall mornings in Tennessee combine mild but pleasant temperatures with an explosion of natural color. You don't go far to find cascading leaves and peaceful vibes.
Mike StoverTennessee Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Tennessee
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 Texas, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Tennessee. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Tennessee local experts.
Moving toNashville
Hot Chicken, Broadway Woo, Briley Bypass
Moving toChattanooga
Pack Your Climbing Gear and Gig Dreams
Moving toGatlinburg
Pack Hiking Boots and Traffic Patience
