($1,120) Cost of Moving From Pennsylvania to Tennessee

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Pennsylvania to Tennessee ranges from $621 to $5,643 and takes two–seven 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.

Professional
$1,120 – $2,726
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.85 / 5
read our full review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned
Container
$803 – $1,342
Pods
star star star star star 4.8 / 5
read our full review
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Freight
$736 – $1,197
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
read our full review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves
Rental Truck
$575 – $1,053
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
read our full review
Affordable pricing
Online pricing
Several discounts

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

Our track record

Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports
Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports

Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Founded in 2015
  • 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
  • $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
  • Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
  • Fact-checked for accuracy

The best Pennsylvania to Tennessee full-service movers

Moving from Pennsylvania to Tennessee? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.

To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.

Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving Pennsylvania for your Tennessee relocation:

Best Overall Value
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
(866) 835-2392
Best Nationwide Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices
Best customized Plans
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
read our full review
(844) 950-2963

The best Pennsylvania to Tennessee moving container companies

Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in Pennsylvania and drop it off at your new home in Tennessee.

Check out these highly rated moving container companies:

Best Nationwide Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices
Best value container
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • Long distance moves only
  • Only pay for the space you use
  • No deposit or initial fees
  • Fast delivery time frames
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
best for large moves
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (352) 322-2920
At A Glance
  • Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
  • Only pay for the truck space you use
  • Offers vehicle shipping
read our full review
Check prices (352) 322-2920

The best Pennsylvania to Tennessee moving truck rentals

Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from Pennsylvania to Tennessee, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.

We like these rental moving trucks:

Best Value Rental
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
  • Round-trip and one-way moves available
  • User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
Best Availability
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Check prices (800) 468-4285
At A Glance
  • More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
  • Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
  • Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
  • U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
read our full review
Check prices (800) 468-4285

The best Pennsylvania to Tennessee labor-only movers

If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.

Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from Pennsylvania to Tennessee:

Best Labor Only
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
  • Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
  • $1,000 money-back service guarantee
  • Fast and accurate delivery times
  • Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
Best customer experience
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
(866) 774-5063
At A Glance
  • Quick and easy booking process
  • National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
  • Dedicated move concierge specialist
  • Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
  • The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
read our full review
(866) 774-5063

How we chose the best moving companies for your PA to TN move

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 84 Pennsylvania movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

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

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,120 - $4,216 $803 - $1,871 $575 - $1,052
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,335 - $5,643 $1,332 - $2,677 $621 - $1,289
4+ bedrooms $4,015 - $7,694 $1,862 - $3,458 $732 - $1,624

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 810 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.

Cost to hire movers from Pennsylvania to Tennessee

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Pennsylvania to Tennessee will cost between $1,120 and $4,216. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from PA to TN will range from $2,335 to $5,643, and a large move from Pennsylvania to Tennessee will cost from $4,015 to $7,694.

Cost of moving containers from Pennsylvania to Tennessee

Moving containers from Pennsylvania to Tennessee will cost you $803 to $1,871 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,332 to $2,677. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,862 to $3,458. Learn more about PODS cost.

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

Cost of moving truck rentals from Pennsylvania 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 $575 to $1,052. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $621 to $1,289, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Pennsylvania to Tennessee costs from $732 to $1,624.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from PA to TN

There are many factors that influence Pennsylvania moving costs. The cost to move from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.

What to know before moving from PA to TN

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

Cost of living: Pennsylvania vs. Tennessee

Pennsylvania Tennessee
Average rent cost $1,110 $1,047
Average home cost $268,824 $319,208
Average income (per capita) $73,170 $64,035
Cost of Living Index 99 0
Unemployment rate 3.4% 3.3%
Average Sales Tax 6.34% 9.55%
State Income Tax 3.07% 0.0%
  • Rent is about 6% less expensive in Tennessee than in Pennsylvania.
  • Home prices are about 19% higher in Tennessee than in Pennsylvania.
  • The average income is about 12% lower in Tennessee than in Pennsylvania.
  • Cost of living is 100% lower in Tennessee than in Pennsylvania.
  • Tennessee has a lower unemployment rate than Pennsylvania by about 3%.
  • Sales taxes are 51% higher in Tennessee than in Pennsylvania.
  • Tennessee has no income tax.

How life is different in Tennessee vs. Pennsylvania

Tennessee Pennsylvania
Population 7,126,489 12,961,683
Political leaning Republican 64-36 Republican 51-49
Summer high 88ºF 83ºF
Winter low 27ºF 19ºF
Annual rain 53" 44"
Annual snow 5" 38"
Crime index 29.24 17.62
  • The population of Tennessee is approximately 45% lower than the population of Pennsylvania.
  • In the last presidential election, Tennessee voted Republican and Pennsylvania voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Tennessee is 88ºF and in Pennsylvania, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Tennessee reaches the temperature of 27ºF and Pennsylvania gets down to 19ºF.
  • You can expect about 53 inches of annual rainfall in Tennessee versus 44 inches of rainfall in Pennsylvania.
  • In Tennessee, it snows about 5 inches annually versus 38 inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
  • Tennessee has a higher crime rate than Pennsylvania with a crime index of 29.24 vs. 17.62.

Comparing the pros of Pennsylvania vs. Tennessee

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Tennessee compared to Pennsylvania.

Pros of living in Pennsylvania Pros of living in Tennessee
Low cost of living Abundant recreational opportunities
Abundant fun and recreational activities No income taxes
Beautiful landscapes Legendary music scene
Ample economic opportunity Natural beauty and parks galore
Excellent education options Delicious southern comfort food

Comparing the cons of living in Pennsylvania vs. Tennessee

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Pennsylvania for Tennessee.

Cons of living in Pennsylvania Cons of living in Tennessee
Harsh winter weather Tendency for severe weather
Bad driving conditions Oppressive summer heat and humidity
Nuclear power plants Abundant presence of nuclear power plants
Unpredictable weather Traffic congestion
High taxes on gasoline High urban crime rates

Other things to consider for your Pennsylvania to Tennessee move

  • 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 Pennsylvania to Tennessee?

Hiring a full-service Pennsylvania moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from Pennsylvania to Tennessee?

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 Pennsylvania to Tennessee separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Pennsylvania to Tennessee?

The main reasons people are moving from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania or Tennessee?

It is generally cheaper to live in Tennessee than in Pennsylvania. Housing is more affordable in Pennsylvania, with average rent about 6% less and home prices 16% 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 $63,555 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Tennessee. The cost of living in Tennessee is approximately $1,532 per month for an individual and $4,403 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 Nashville and Memphis will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources