Factors affecting the cost of moving from TN to VA
There are many factors that influence
Tennessee moving costs.
The cost to move from Tennessee to Virginia 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 Tennessee 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 TN to VA
If you’re moving to Virginia from Tennessee, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Tennessee vs. Virginia
|
Tennessee |
Virginia |
| Average rent cost |
$1,047 |
$1,440 |
| Average home cost |
$319,208 |
$392,682 |
| Average income (per capita) |
$64,035 |
$87,249 |
| Cost of Living Index |
0 |
0 |
| Unemployment rate |
3.3% |
2.9% |
| Average Sales Tax |
9.55% |
5.73% |
| State Income Tax |
0.0% |
5.75% |
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Rent is about 38% more expensive in Virginia than in Tennessee.
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Home prices are about 23% higher in Virginia than in Tennessee.
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The average income is about 36% higher in Virginia than in Tennessee.
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Cost of living is about the same in Virginia and Tennessee.
-
Virginia has a lower unemployment rate than Tennessee by about 12%.
-
Sales taxes are 40% lower in Virginia than in Tennessee.
-
Income taxes are 6% higher in Virginia than in Tennessee.
How life is different in Virginia vs. Tennessee
|
Virginia |
Tennessee |
| Population |
8,715,698 |
7,126,489 |
| Political leaning |
Democratic 52-48 |
Republican 64-36 |
| Summer high |
87ºF |
88ºF |
| Winter low |
25ºF |
27ºF |
| Annual rain |
44" |
53" |
| Annual snow |
14" |
5" |
| Crime index |
19.3 |
29.24 |
-
The population of Virginia is approximately 22% greater than the population of Tennessee.
-
In the last presidential election, Virginia voted Democratic and Tennessee voted Republican.
-
The average high in the summertime in Virginia is 87ºF
and in Tennessee, it’s 88ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Virginia reaches the temperature of 25ºF
and Tennessee gets down to 27ºF.
-
You can expect about 44 inches of annual rainfall in Virginia versus 53 inches of rainfall in Tennessee.
-
In Virginia, it snows about 14 inches annually
versus 5 inches of snow in Tennessee.
-
Virginia has a lower crime rate than Tennessee with a crime index
of 19.3 vs. 29.24.
Comparing the pros of Tennessee vs. Virginia
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Virginia compared to Tennessee.
| Pros of living in Tennessee |
Pros of living in Virginia |
| Abundant recreational opportunities |
Strong economy |
| No income taxes |
Beautiful scenery |
| Legendary music scene |
Abundance of outdoor activities |
| Natural beauty and parks galore |
Enjoyable four season weather |
| Delicious southern comfort food |
Strong military presence |
Comparing the cons of living in Tennessee vs. Virginia
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 Tennessee for Virginia.
| Cons of living in Tennessee |
Cons of living in Virginia |
| Tendency for severe weather |
High cost of living |
| Oppressive summer heat and humidity |
Unpredictable weather |
| Abundant presence of nuclear power plants |
Bad traffic congestion |
| Traffic congestion |
Lack of public transportation |
| High urban crime rates |
Air noise pollution |
Other things to consider for your Tennessee to Virginia move
- Weather: Virginia has humid hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream have a strong effect on eastern and southeastern coastal areas of the Commonwealth, making the climate there warmer and more constant.
-
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:
In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
-
State regulator:
You can verify a Virginia moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
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Moving permits:
Virginia 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 Virginia.
Get started here.
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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.
In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
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Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Virginia
While you’re in Virginia, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Virginia Beach
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Busch Gardens
- The Natural Bridge
- Manassas National Battlefield Park
- Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
- George Washington's Mount Vernon
- Shenandoah National Park / Skyline Drive
- Richmond Canal Walk
- Luray Caverns
- Chincoteague and Assateague Islands
- Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
- Historic Jamestowne
- Maymont Park
- Nauticus
- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- Military Aviation Museum
- Virginia State Capitol
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Tennessee to Virginia?
Do movers transport your car from Tennessee to Virginia?
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 Tennessee to Virginia
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Tennessee to Virginia?
The main reasons people are moving from Tennessee to Virginia are the amazing upsides of living in Virginia such as
strong economy and beautiful scenery.
Is it cheaper to live in Tennessee or Virginia?
It is generally cheaper to live in Tennessee than in Virginia.
While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing
is more affordable in Tennessee,
with average rent about 27% less
and home prices 19% lower than in Virginia.
Tennessee has no income tax.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Virginia?
You should make approximately $72,647 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Virginia.
The cost of living in Virginia is approximately $3,208 per month for an individual and $4,783 for a family of four.
The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Virginia you live
For example, larger cities like Virginia Beach and Chesapeake will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
Helpful moving resources
Tennessee moving services
Best overall value
