($1,353) Movers From Richmond, VA to Nashville, TN

What to know before moving from Richmond to Nashville

Moving from Richmond to Nashville comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Nashville is generally more expensive than Richmond, 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 24% higher than in Richmond, 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 Richmond.
  Home prices in Nashville are 22.2% higher than in Richmond.
• Income in Nashville is 32.6% higher than in Richmond, 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 36.9% higher than in Richmond. 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 58.3% higher than in Richmond.
• The unemployment rate in Nashville is 36.62% lower than in Richmond.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Nashville, since the city’s sales taxes in Nashville are 62.50% higher than in Richmond.
• One perk of moving to Nashville is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Richmond.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,107.49 in Nashville to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Richmond.

How life is different in Richmond vs. Nashville

• The population of Nashville is about 204% greater than Richmond, 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 Richmond. Nashville has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Richmond is ranked 7. 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 Richmond. Nashville is considered more walkable than Richmond, with a score of 96 out of 100 versus 51 out of 100 in Richmond. 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 Richmond 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 Richmond is rated as 51 out of 100.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Nashville as Richmond. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Nashville is generally as safe as Richmond, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Nashville and Richmond 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 Richmond 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Tennessee, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Tennessee doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Nashville without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Nashville

With your sights set on "Athens of the South", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Nashville.

Helpful moving resources