($1,108) Moving from Washington DC to Chattanooga

Quick answer: A move from Washington DC to Chattanooga costs $494 to $5,645 and takes one-six days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 598-mile move yourself.

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  • East coast focus
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  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

Hiring a long-distance moving company from Washington DC will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Chattanooga to Washington DC guide.

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The best Washington DC to Chattanooga moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Washington DC to Chattanooga is a big deal. There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Washington DC to Chattanooga.

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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

How much does it cost to move from Washington DC to Chattanooga?

Washington DC movers charge $85 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,108 - $3,533 $701 - $1,724 $463 - $897
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,066 - $5,645 $1,354 - $2,430 $494 - $1,003
4+ bedrooms $3,806 - $8,013 $1,755 - $3,234 $617 - $1,187
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 598 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Factors influencing moving costs from Washington DC to Chattanooga

The cost of Washington DC movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Washington DC to Chattanooga can be as low as $1,108 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,054.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Washington DC, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $463 to $1,101. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Washington DC to Chattanooga?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Washington DC to Chattanooga will cost between $1,108 to $3,533. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,066 to $5,645, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Washington DC to Chattanooga will cost from $3,806 to $8,013.

How much are moving container companies from Washington DC to Chattanooga?

Moving containers from Washington DC to Chattanooga will cost you $701 to $1,724 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,354 to $2,430. A larger home will cost $1,755 to $3,234.

How much is a moving truck from Washington DC to Chattanooga?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $463 to $897. A larger move will cost $494 to $1,003, and a four-bedroom move from Washington DC to Chattanooga costs from $617 to $1,187. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Washington DC to Chattanooga

Cost of living: Washington DC vs Chattanooga

Washington DC Chattanooga
Average rent cost $2,450 $1,500
Average home value $609,175 $58,615
Average income (per capita) $635,900 $58,615
Cost of Living (single person) $1,211 $1,032
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,423 $3,614
Unemployment rate 7.0% 5.6%
Sales Tax 6.0% 9.25%
State Income Tax 5.75% 0.0%
  • Rent prices in Chattanooga are 39% lower than in Washington DC.
  • Home prices in Chattanooga are 90.4% lower than in Washington DC.
  • Income in Chattanooga is 90.8% lower than in Washington DC.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Chattanooga is 14.8% lower than in Washington DC.
  • The cost of living for a family in Chattanooga is 18.3% lower than in Washington DC.
  • The unemployment rate in Chattanooga is 20.00% lower than in Washington DC.
  • Sales taxes in Chattanooga are 54.17% higher than in Washington DC.
  • State income taxes in Chattanooga are 100.00% lower than in Washington DC.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,556.56 in Chattanooga to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Washington DC.

How is life different in Washington DC compared to Chattanooga?

Chattanooga Washington DC
Population 181,370 689,545
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 9
Walkability score 29 77
Bike friendliness score 35 70
Crime Index 1.0 46.45
Safety Index 46.81 41.16
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Chattanooga's population is about 74% less than Washington DC.
  • Chattanooga's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Washington DC's lower score of 9.
  • Chattanooga is less walkable than Washington DC with a score of 29 out of 100 vs Washington DC's 77 out of 100.
  • Chattanooga is less bike-friendly than Washington DC with a score of 35 out of 100 vs Washington DC's 70.
  • Chattanooga's crime rate is lower than Washington DC with a score of 1.0 compared to Washington DC's 46.45. This means that Chattanooga neighborhoods are safer than 1.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Washington DC neighborhoods are safer than 46.45%.
  • Chattanooga is considered to be safer than Washington DC with a safety index of 46.81 vs Washington DC's 41.16.
  • Air quality in Chattanooga is good, and in Washington DC it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Chattanooga

  • Weather: May, September and October are the most suitable months for moving in Chattanooga, while you might reconsider your plans in January and July as these are the least comfortable months.
  • 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 Chattanooga. 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.

Local Washington DC movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Gentle Giant Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
5782 2nd Street NE, Washington, MD, 20011
(202) 758-0213
Bookstore Movers, LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.8 overall rating
5200 46th Ave, Hyattsville, MD, 20781
(202) 570-4697

Visit our best long distance movers in Washington DC page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Chattanooga

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Scenic City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Chattanooga.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Southside
  • Martin Luther King
  • Fort Wood
  • Lookout Mountain
  • West Village

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • North Shore
  • St. Elmo
  • Lookout Mountain
  • Highland Park
  • Orchard Knob

What to do in Chattanooga

These are some of the best things to do in your new Tennessee home.

  • Creative Discovery Museum
  • Chattanooga Whiskey Tasting
  • Raccoon Mountain Caverns
  • Ruby Falls
  • Tennessee Aquarium
  • Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
  • Bluff View Art District
  • Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park
  • Rock City Gardens
  • Chattanooga Choo Choo

Get your sports on!

Chattanooga is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

  • Chattanooga Lookouts (Southern League)
  • Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL League One)

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Washington DC to Chattanooga?

The best time to move from Washington DC to Chattanooga is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Washington DC.

When is the cheapest time to move from Washington DC to Chattanooga?

Because most people are moving from Washington DC to Chattanooga in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Washington DC to Chattanooga take?

The 598-mile move from Washington DC, MD, to Chattanooga, TN, takes one-six days. Some Washington DC movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Chattanooga.

Helpful moving resources