Virginia Local Expert
Laura Gray
“I arrived in Virginia in 1988 with a teaching job, a love of sunshine, and zero idea I’d still be…”
Read more about me
Making the Move from VA to Tennessee: The Ultimate Moving Guide
Two neighboring Southern states might seem like an easy swap, but relocating from Virginia to Tennessee brings more lifestyle changes than most people anticipate. Virginia blends coastal plains, rolling Piedmont countryside, and a strong connection to the nation's capital, while Tennessee counters with mountain ridges, Music City energy, and a noticeably lower cost of living. The culture shifts, the commutes shift, and yes, the tax situation shifts in ways that could genuinely reshape your monthly budget. Our Snappy Scout team (Laura & Mike) dug into the costs, logistics, and day to day adjustments you should plan for before the moving truck pulls out of the driveway.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Planning a DIY Move from Virginia to Tennessee?
Average distance
450miles
Typical route
I-81 S and I-40 W are the primary highways used when driving from Virginia to Tennessee.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Richmond, VA → Nashville, TN
~650 miles
Virginia Beach, VA → Memphis, TN
~850 miles
Roanoke, VA → Knoxville, TN
~250 miles
Norfolk, VA → Chattanooga, TN
~600 miles
Bristol, VA → Nashville, TN
~350 miles
Should You Move From Virginia to Tennessee Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Tennessee from Virginia 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 Will Relocating to Tennessee from Virginia Set You Back?
Moving 450 miles from Virginia to Tennessee 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
$1,580.00
1 Bedroom
$2,350.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,880.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,630.00
4 Bedrooms
$8,110.00
5+ Bedrooms
$9,030.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,580.00 | 300 | $5.27 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,350.00 | 450 | $5.22 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,880.00 | 750 | $5.17 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,630.00 | 1,100 | $5.12 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $8,110.00 | 1,600 | $5.07 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $9,030.00 | 1,800 | $5.02 |
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.
What Kind of Person Struggles After Moving from Virginia to Tennessee?
Well, it depends. If you're a Retired Snowbird, PTA President, or Gamer, you'll thrive in your move to Tennessee. But if you're more of a Yoga Instructor, 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 Virginia to Tennessee.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from VA to TN
Snowbirds
Virginia
3.5
/10
Tennessee
7
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Lovely First Landing walks, but winter chills send friends to St. Pete.
Tennessee
Gaining
Tellico Village lakes, low taxes, sunny porch seasons
Recommended TN cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Tellico VillageKnoxville
Virginia
3.5
/10
Tennessee
7
/10
PTA Life
Virginia
6.5
/10
Tennessee
8
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Top schools, stadium fundraisers, and Vienna Halloween Parade.
Tennessee
Gaining
Williamson County schools, Brentwood fields, Collierville Friday nights
Recommended TN cities/areas for PTA Presidents
BrentwoodFranklinCollierville
Virginia
6.5
/10
Tennessee
8
/10
Gaming
Virginia
6
/10
Tennessee
7
/10
Virginia
Giving up
MAGFest at National Harbor nearby and VT esports clubs.
Tennessee
Gaining
Nashville's Game Terminal, Memphis conventions at Crosstown Concourse, gamer conventions at Meadowview Conference Center
Virginia
6
/10
Tennessee
7
/10
Yoga
Virginia
8
/10
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Sunrise ocean flows and RVA rooftop classes.
Tennessee
Gaining
12South yoga studios, Chattanooga riverfront sun salutations, Real Hot Yoga & Yoga in the Park
Recommended TN cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
Virginia
8
/10
Tennessee
6.5
/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 Virginia and living in Tennessee
VirginiaTennessee
From Virginia to Tennessee: How the Way Locals Eat Looks Different
Eating 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 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 ExpertVirginia vs Tennessee: The Tax Situation
Virginia
Tennessee
VirginiavsTennessee
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Virginia
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
VS
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Virginia
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
VS
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Moving from Virginia to Tennessee: The People, Politics, & Religion Shift
Virginia
Tennessee
VirginiavsTennessee
People
PeoplePolite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Virginia
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
VS
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Politics
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Virginia
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
VS
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Virginia
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
VS
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
The Climate Gap Between Virginia and Tennessee
SUMMER
Virginia
sweet tea sauna (Chesapeake breathes on you, Roanoke bakes by noon)
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
Virginia
coat roulette (Blue Ridge bites, Hampton Roads shrugs and rains)
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 Virginia, 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 toChattanooga
Pack Your Climbing Gear and Gig Dreams
Moving toGatlinburg
Pack Hiking Boots and Traffic Patience
Moving toJackson
Pack the Sweet Tea and Low Expectations
