($1,358) Movers From Philadelphia, PA to Nashville, TN

What to know before moving from Philadelphia to Nashville

Moving from Philadelphia to Nashville comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Nashville is generally more expensive than Philadelphia, 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 16% higher than in Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia.
  Home prices in Nashville are 97.6% higher than in Philadelphia.
• Income in Nashville is 11.7% higher than in Philadelphia, 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 22.3% higher than in Philadelphia. 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 36.5% higher than in Philadelphia.
• The unemployment rate in Nashville is 57.55% lower than in Philadelphia.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Nashville, since the city’s sales taxes in Nashville are 21.88% higher than in Philadelphia.
• One perk of moving to Nashville is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Philadelphia.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,669.42 in Nashville to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Philadelphia.

How life is different in Philadelphia vs. Nashville

• Nashville might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 57% less than Philadelphia.
• Getting around Nashville without a car might be more difficult than in Philadelphia. Nashville has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Philadelphia is ranked 9. 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 Philadelphia. Nashville is considered more walkable than Philadelphia, with a score of 96 out of 100 versus 75 out of 100 in Philadelphia. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Nashville is considered more bike-friendly than Philadelphia in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Nashville has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, while Philadelphia is rated as 67 out of 100.
• Nashville has a lower crime rate than Philadelphia based on scores of 49.1 and Philadelphia's 66.09, 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 Philadelphia, based on Nashville’s safety index of 50.9 versus 33.91 for Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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