DC to Tennessee Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

Planning a 704 mile interstate move from DC to Tennessee? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Tennessee across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Half-smoke vs Barbecue ribs), real estate & housing (federal and victorian vs colonial revival and ranch style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Half-smoke and Mumbo sauce with wings, but get your taste buds ready for Barbecue ribs & Hot chicken
- Tennessee housing costs are 49% less expensive than they are in DC
- Rent in Tennessee is 29.94% more affordable than in DC
- Moving from DC to Tennessee will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended DC to Tennessee movers is Bookstore Movers
DC to Tennessee Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Tennessee
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic congestion
- Hectic lifestyle
- Limited outdoor spaces
- Cold winters
- Lower cost of living
- Less traffic
- Relaxed pace
- Abundant nature
- Mild winters
- Limited nightlife
- Fewer cultural venues
- More car reliance
- Fewer job markets
- Less diversity
- Vibrant nightlife
- Cultural institutions
- Public transportation
- Professional opportunities
- Diverse population
Pros of moving from DC to Tennessee
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to Tennessee with less traffic
- Swap the hectic lifestyle of DC for a relaxed pace in Tennessee
- Get ready for abundant nature in Tennessee
Cons of moving from DC to Tennessee
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant nightlife in DC to live with limited nightlife in Tennessee
- You'll lose out on the pro of cultural institutions and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural venues
- Time to bid farewell to public transportation and get used to more reliance on cars in Tennessee
- Swap professional opportunities for fewer job markets
DC vs. Tennessee: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | DC | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Half-smoke | Barbecue ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Mumbo sauce with wings | Hot chicken |
Most popular street food item | Jumbo slice pizza | Pulled pork sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Chickpea tacos | BBQ jackfruit |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | šŖšŖšŖšŖšŖšŖšŖšŖšŖšŖ | šŖšŖšŖšŖšŖšŖšŖšŖšŖšŖ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | šššššššššš | šššššššššš |
Foodie Scene | š“š“š“š“š“š“š“š“š“š“ | š“š“š“š“š“š“š“š“š“š“ |
Vegan Friendly | š±š±š±š±š±š±š±š±š±š± | š±š±š±š±š±š±š±š±š±š± |
If you're moving from DC to Tennessee, you will be trading the iconic Half-smoke of DC for the equally delicious Barbecue ribs of Tennessee. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo sauce with wings and sumptuous Jumbo slice pizza, Tennessee residents know they have tasty Hot chicken and Pulled pork sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Chickpea tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ jackfruit of Tennessee. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rose's Luxury. After the boxes are unpacked in Tennessee, don't wait too long before making your way to Tennessee's acclaimed eateries like Central BBQ, Prince's Hot Chicken Shack, and Chez Philippe.
When comparing lifestyles, Tennessee shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than DC. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Tennessee compared to what you are used to in DC. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Tennessee.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Tennessee
Comparison | DC | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Federal and Victorian | Colonial Revival and Ranch Style |
Walkability | šššššššššš | šššššššššš |
Bikeability | š²š²š²š²š²š²š²š²š²š² | š²š²š²š²š²š²š²š²š²š² |
Urban Lifestyle | šļøšļøšļøšļøšļøšļøšļøšļøšļøšļø | šļøšļøšļøšļøšļøšļøšļøšļøšļøšļø |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to metro, Historic Charm | Large Yards, Peaceful surroundings |
- The Federal and Victorian architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival and Ranch Style architecture typical of Tennessee.
- Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to metro and historic charm, Tennessee real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and peaceful surroundings.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Tennessee is less walkable than DC.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Tennessee is less bike-friendly than DC.
- Tennessee has less of an urban feel than DC.
- Tennessee housing costs are 49% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $317,482 compared to DCās $619,320.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Tennessee have increased by 63% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
- Rent in Tennessee is 29.94% more affordable than in DC.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between DC and Tennessee
Comparison | DC | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | āļøāļøāļøāļøāļø | āļøāļøāļøāļøāļø |
Avg. Annual Humidity | š¦š¦š¦š¦š¦š¦š¦š¦š¦š¦ | š¦š¦š¦š¦š¦š¦š¦š¦š¦š¦ |
Avg. UV Index | š¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļø | š¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļø |
Natural Disasters | Blizzards, Hurricanes | Tornadoes, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 88°F / 71°F | 89°F / 67°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 47°F / 30°F | 49°F / 29°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 43" | 54" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 15.4" | 5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from DC to Tennessee. Tennessee gets 2% more sunshine days than DC.
- Tennessee has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to DC.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and hurricanes in DC, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and earthquakes in Tennessee.
- The average summer high temperature in Tennessee is 1 degree warmer than in DC.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree colder than they are in DC.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Tennessee. Tennessee receives 11 more inches of rain compared to DC.
Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Tennessee
Comparison | DC | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $101,027 | $65,254 |
Cost of Living Index | 140.1 | 88.9 |
State Income Tax | 10.50% | 0.00% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56% | 0.64% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 9.55% |
Top 3 Industries | Government, Education, Healthcare | Healthcare, Automotive, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Visible | Less noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Tennessee tend to earn about 35% less than in DC
- The COLI in Tennessee will be 37% lower than what you are used to living in DC
- Hooray, moving to TN means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Tennessee is moderate compared to high in DC
- The poverty level is moderate in Tennessee compared to low in DC
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in DC and less noticeable in Tennessee
Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Tennessee
Comparison | DC | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Heavily Democratic | Primarily Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive Urban Policies | Conservative, with a focus on traditional values |
Religion | High percentage of non-religious residents | Predominantly Christian, with a strong evangelical presence |
- DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
- Tennessee, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Republican
- Tennessee's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian with a strong evangelical presence
- DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a high percentage of non-religious residents
Education Guide When Moving from DC to Tennessee
Comparison | DC | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Georgetown University George Washington University Howard University | Vanderbilt University University of Tennessee Sewanee: The University of the South |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Janney Elementary Lafayette Elementary Mann Elementary | Lipscomb Elementary Percy Priest Elementary New Hope Academy |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Deal Middle School Hardy Middle School Jefferson Middle School Academy | Brentwood Middle School West End Middle School MLK Jr. Magnet- Pearl High School |
Top 3 High Schools | School Without Walls High School Banneker High School Wilson High School | Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet Central Magnet School Brentwood High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Preparatory School St. Albans School | Baylor School Montgomery Bell Academy Harpeth Hall School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Maret School National Cathedral School Sidwell Friends School | Baylor School McCallie School University School of Nashville |
Top 3 School Districts | DC Public Schools | Williamson County Schools Maryville City Schools Oak Ridge City Schools |
How Much Do DC to Tennessee Movers Cost?
Moving 704 miles from DC to Tennessee will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,602 | 300 ft3 | $5.34 |
1 Bedroom | $2,380 | 450 ft3 | $5.29 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,929 | 750 ft3 | $5.24 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,708 | 1100 ft3 | $5.19 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,222 | 1600 ft3 | $5.14 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,160 | 1800 ft3 | $5.09 |
Top DC to Tennessee Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to Tennessee movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.