($1,221) Moving From Michigan to Tennessee

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Michigan to Tennessee ranges from $551 to $6,139 and takes one-six days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
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  • Family owned & operated
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

Hiring a full-service Michigan moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Michigan to Tennessee separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Tennessee to Michigan guide.

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The best Michigan to Tennessee movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Michigan to Tennessee 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 Michigan to Tennessee:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
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(980) 217-6841
Best for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
At A Glance
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local Michigan movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.8 overall rating
1200 E Oakland Ave, Lansing, MI, 48906
(336) 810-1801
Handle With Care Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.76 overall rating
4260 Varsity Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108
(734) 677-2000

Visit our Best Movers in Michigan page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

How much does it cost to move from Michigan to Tennessee?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Michigan to Tennessee for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,221 - $4,126 $772 - $1,795 $532 - $988
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,265 - $6,139 $1,294 - $2,748 $551 - $1,209
4+ bedrooms $4,351 - $8,677 $1,915 - $3,466 $732 - $1,407

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 701 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from MI to TN

There are many factors that influence Michigan moving costs. The cost to move from Michigan to Tennessee will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in Michigan is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Michigan to Tennessee?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Michigan to Tennessee will cost between $1,221 and $4,126. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from MI to TN will range from $2,265 to $6,139, and a large move from Michigan to Tennessee will cost from $4,351 to $8,677.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Michigan to Tennessee?

Moving containers from Michigan to Tennessee will cost you $772 to $1,795 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,294 to $2,748. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,915 to $3,466. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Michigan.

How much is a moving truck from Michigan to Tennessee?

A moving rental truck is generally 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 $532 to $988. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $551 to $1,209, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Michigan to Tennessee costs from $732 to $1,407.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Michigan to Tennessee a good idea?

If you’re moving to Tennessee from Michigan, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Michigan vs. Tennessee

Michigan Tennessee
Average rent cost $892 $897
Average home cost $232,380 $309,913
Average income (per capita) $68,505 $64,035
Cost of Living Index 92 0
Unemployment rate 4.1% 3.5%
Average Sales Tax 6.0% 9.55%
State Income Tax 4.25% 0.0%
  • Rent is about the same cost in Tennessee and Michigan.
  • Home prices are about 33% higher in Tennessee than in Michigan.
  • The average income is about 7% lower in Tennessee than in Michigan.
  • Cost of living is 100% lower in Tennessee than in Michigan.
  • Tennessee has a lower unemployment rate than Michigan by about 15%.
  • Sales taxes are 59% higher in Tennessee than in Michigan.
  • Income taxes are 100% lower in Tennessee than in Michigan.

How does life in Tennessee differ from Michigan?

Tennessee Michigan
Population 7,051,339 10,034,113
Political leaning Republican 61-37 Democratic 59-48
Summer high 88ºF 81ºF
Winter low 27ºF 14ºF
Annual rain 53" 34"
Annual snow 5" 64"
Crime index 29.59 18.76
  • The population of Tennessee is approximately 30% lower than the population of Michigan.
  • In the last presidential election, Tennessee voted Republican and Michigan voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Tennessee is 88ºF and in Michigan, it’s 81ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Tennessee reaches the temperature of 27ºF and Michigan gets down to 14ºF.
  • You can expect about fifty-three inches of annual rainfall in Tennessee versus thirty-four inches of rainfall in Michigan.
  • In Tennessee, it snows about five inches annually versus sixty-four inches of snow in Michigan.
  • Tennessee has a higher crime rate than Michigan with a crime index of 29.59 vs 18.76.

Comparing the pros of Michigan vs. Tennessee

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Michigan versus Tennessee side by side.

Pros of living in Michigan Pros of living in Tennessee
Scenic beauty Abundant recreational opportunities
Good higher education No income taxes
Bountiful recreational opportunities Legendary music scene
Low cost of living Natural beauty and parks galore
Beautiful lakes Delicious southern comfort food

Comparing the cons of living in Michigan vs. Tennessee

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Michigan for Tennessee.

Cons of living in Michigan Cons of living in Tennessee
Cold snowy winters Tendency for severe weather
Spotty economic opportunity Oppressive summer heat and humidity
Poor transportation infrastructure Abundant presence of nuclear power plants
Expensive education Traffic congestion
Thick accents High urban crime rates

What to know before your move to Tennessee

  • Weather: Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.
  • HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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 on the state regulator's official website.
  • 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Tennessee. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Tennessee

While you’re in Tennessee, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • The Smokies: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Elvis Presley's Graceland
  • Grand Ole Opry House and Opry Museum
  • Tennessee Aquarium
  • Dollywood
  • The Hermitage: President Andrew Jackson's Home
  • Memphis Zoo and Aquarium
  • Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Titanic Museum
  • Ruby Falls
  • Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area
  • The Parthenon
  • American Museum of Science and Energy
  • Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
  • Lookout Mountain
  • Beale Street
  • The Lost Sea Adventure
  • Bell Witch Cave
  • Ryman Auditorium
  • Crystal Shrine Grotto

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Michigan to Tennessee?

The cheapest way to move from Michigan to Tennessee is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from Michigan to Tennessee?

The main reasons people are moving from Michigan to Tennessee are the amazing upsides of living in Tennessee such as abundant recreational opportunities and no income taxes.

Is it cheaper to live in Michigan or Tennessee?

It is generally cheaper to live in Michigan than in Tennessee. Housing is much more affordable in Michigan, with average rent about 1% less and home prices 25% lower than in Tennessee. Tennessee has no income tax.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Tennessee?

You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Tennessee you live For example, larger cities like Alcoa and Arlington will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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