($1,793) Movers From Portland, OR to Nashville, TN

What to know before moving from Portland to Nashville

Moving from Portland to Nashville comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Nashville is generally more expensive than Portland, 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 29% higher than in Portland, 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 Nashville.
  Home prices in Nashville are 18.0% lower than in Portland.
• Income in Nashville is 8.0% lower than in Portland, so you could earn less 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 20.8% higher than in Portland. 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 39.0% higher than in Portland.
• The unemployment rate in Nashville is 34.78% lower than in Portland.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Nashville, since the city’s sales taxes in Nashville are 9.75% higher than in Portland.
• One perk of moving to Nashville is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Portland.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,625.19 in Nashville to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Portland.

How life is different in Portland vs. Nashville

• The population of Nashville is about 6% greater than Portland, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Getting around Nashville without a car might be more difficult than in Portland. Nashville has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Portland 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 Portland. Nashville is considered more walkable than Portland, with a score of 96 out of 100 versus 81 out of 100 in Portland. 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 Portland. While Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 92 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 Portland based on scores of 49.1 and Portland's 57.37, 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 Portland, based on Nashville’s safety index of 50.9 versus 42.63 for Portland. 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 Portland 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 Portland 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Tennessee moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Tennessee, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toNashville Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Nashville

Now that you’ve chosen "Athens of the South" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Nashville to check out.

Helpful moving resources