($817) Movers From Louisville, KY to Nashville, TN

What to know before moving from Louisville to Nashville

Moving from Louisville to Nashville comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Nashville is generally more expensive than Louisville, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Nashville are 58% higher than in Louisville, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Louisville.
  Home prices in Nashville are 76.7% higher than in Louisville.
• Income in Nashville is 13.3% higher than in Louisville, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Nashville include HCA Healthcare, Access Control Systems, and Bridgestone.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Nashville, since the cost of living for a single person in Nashville is 66.9% higher than in Louisville. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Nashville, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Nashville is 86.4% higher than in Louisville.
• The unemployment rate in Nashville is 10.00% lower than in Louisville.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Nashville, since the city’s sales taxes in Nashville are 62.50% higher than in Louisville.
• One perk of moving to Nashville is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Louisville.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,007.52 in Nashville to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Louisville.

How life is different in Louisville vs. Nashville

• Nashville might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 12% less than Louisville.
• Getting around Nashville without a car might be more difficult than in Louisville. Nashville has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Louisville is ranked 6. 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 Louisville. Nashville is considered more walkable than Louisville, with a score of 96 out of 100 versus 91 out of 100 in Louisville. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Nashville, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Louisville. While Louisville has a bike-friendliness score of 79 out of 100, Nashville earned a 72. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Nashville has a lower crime rate than Louisville based on scores of 49.1 and Louisville's 56.68, 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 Louisville, based on Nashville’s safety index of 50.9 versus 43.32 for Louisville. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Nashville and Louisville is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Louisville 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Tennessee moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Tennessee doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Nashville. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Nashville

Ready to relocate to "Athens of the South"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Nashville.

Helpful moving resources