($1,536) Movers From Los Angeles, CA to Nashville, TN

What to know before moving from Los Angeles to Nashville

Moving from Los Angeles to Nashville means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Los Angeles than in Nashville, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Los Angeles compares to Nashville so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Nashville are 33% lower than in Los Angeles, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Nashville.
  Home prices in Nashville are 81.9% lower than in Los Angeles.
• Income in Nashville is 5.4% higher than in Los Angeles, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Nashville include HCA Healthcare, Access Control Systems, and Bridgestone.
• The cost of living for a single person in Nashville is 20.8% lower than in Los Angeles. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Nashville is 8.3% lower than in Los Angeles.
• The unemployment rate in Nashville is 57.55% lower than in Los Angeles.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Nashville, since the city’s sales taxes in Nashville are 2.63% higher than in Los Angeles.
• One perk of moving to Nashville is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Los Angeles.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,377.36 in Nashville to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Los Angeles.

How life is different in Los Angeles vs. Nashville

• Nashville might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 82% less than Los Angeles.
• Getting around Nashville without a car might be more difficult than in Los Angeles. Nashville has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Los Angeles is ranked 8. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Living in Nashville means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Los Angeles. Nashville is considered more walkable than Los Angeles, with a score of 96 out of 100 versus 69 out of 100 in Los Angeles. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Nashville is considered more bike-friendly than Los Angeles in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Nashville has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, while Los Angeles is rated as 59 out of 100.
• Nashville has a lower crime rate than Los Angeles based on scores of 49.1 and Los Angeles's 53.81, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Nashville than in Los Angeles, based on Nashville’s safety index of 50.9 versus 46.19 for Los Angeles. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Nashville has better air quality than in Los Angeles. Nashville has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Los Angeles. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Los Angeles vs. Nashville move

• Weather: Nashville has humid summers and generally cool winters typical of the Upper South. Spring and fall are prone to severe thunderstorms, which may bring tornadoes, large hail, flash floods, and damaging wind. Be sure to check your weather app before your move to avoid inclement weather.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Tennessee moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Tennessee does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Nashville. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.When it comes to movers' insurance in Tennessee, most moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra charge. This basic coverage extends to 60 cents per pound per item. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Additionally, exploring third-party insurance providers is a viable choice for tailored plans. Prioritize understanding coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Tennessee.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Nashville

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Athens of the South", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Nashville.

Helpful moving resources