DC to TN Moving Specialists

DC to Tennessee Moving Guide

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Updated August 19, 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 featured image

Top DC to Tennessee Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to Tennessee movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for DC to Tennessee

9.61/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Ap Pro Moving Llc featured image

Ap Pro Moving Llc

9.45/10
Exceptional

DC to Tennessee Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Tennessee

ConsDC iconDC
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic congestion
  • Hectic lifestyle
  • Limited outdoor spaces
  • Cold winters
ProsTennessee iconTennessee
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less traffic
  • Relaxed pace
  • Abundant nature
  • Mild winters

Tennessee iconTennessee
  • Limited nightlife
  • Fewer cultural venues
  • More car reliance
  • Fewer job markets
  • Less diversity
DC iconDC
  • 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

ComparisonDCTennessee
Most iconic local food itemHalf-smokeBarbecue ribs
Most popular meat dishMumbo sauce with wingsHot chicken
Most popular street food itemJumbo slice pizzaPulled pork sandwich
Most popular vegan foodChickpea tacosBBQ jackfruit
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Zaytinya
  • Rose's Luxury
  • Central BBQ
  • Prince's Hot Chicken Shack
  • Chez Philippe
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonDCTennessee
Typical Architecture StyleFederal and VictorianColonial Revival and Ranch Style
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingProximity to metro, Historic CharmLarge 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 DC’s $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.

Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Tennessee

ComparisonDCTennessee
Avg. Household Income$101,027$65,254
Cost of Living Index140.188.9
State Income Tax10.50%0.00%
Avg. Property Tax0.56%0.64%
Avg. Sales Tax6.00%9.55%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Education, HealthcareHealthcare, Automotive, Agriculture
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessVisibleLess 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

ComparisonDCTennessee
Political Make-upHeavily DemocraticPrimarily Republican
Local PoliticsProgressive Urban PoliciesConservative, with a focus on traditional values
ReligionHigh percentage of non-religious residentsPredominantly 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

ComparisonDCTennessee
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maryland
College Park
MD; George Washington University
Washington
DC; Georgetown University
Washington
DC
University of Tennessee
Knoxville
TN; Vanderbilt University
Nashville
TN; University of Memphis
Memphis
TN
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsJanney Elementary School
Washington
DC; Lafayette Elementary School
Washington
DC; Eaton Elementary School
Washington
DC
Julia Green Elementary
Nashville
TN; Shannondale Elementary
Knoxville
TN; Normal Park Museum Magnet School
Chattanooga
TN
Top 3 Middle SchoolsHardy Middle School
Washington
DC; Deal Middle School
Washington
DC; Jefferson Middle School Academy
Washington
DC
Merrol Hyde Magnet School
Hendersonville
TN; Signal Mountain Middle School
Signal Mountain
TN; Clayton-Bradley Academy
Maryville
TN
Top 3 High SchoolsWoodrow Wilson High School
Washington
DC; School Without Walls
Washington
DC; Benjamin Banneker Academic High School
Washington
DC
Hume-Fogg Academic High School
Nashville
TN; Signal Mountain Middle/High School
Signal Mountain
TN; Brentwood High School
Brentwood
TN
Top 3 private high schoolsSidwell Friends School
Washington
DC; Georgetown Day School
Washington
DC; St. Albans School
Washington
DC
Baylor School
Chattanooga
TN; McCallie School
Chattanooga
TN; Montgomery Bell Academy
Nashville
TN
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsNational Cathedral School
Washington
DC; Washington International School
Washington
DC; St. Andrew's Episcopal School
Potomac
MD
Franklin Road Academy
Nashville
TN; Harpeth Hall School
Nashville
TN; Webb School of Knoxville
Knoxville
TN
Top 3 School DistrictsMontgomery County Public Schools
Montgomery County
MD; Fairfax County Public Schools
Fairfax County
VA; District of Columbia Public Schools
Washington
DC
Williamson County Schools
Williamson County
TN; Maryville City Schools
Maryville
TN; Oak Ridge Schools
Oak Ridge
TN

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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,602300 ft3$5.34
1 Bedroom$2,380450 ft3$5.29
2 Bedrooms$3,929750 ft3$5.24
3 Bedrooms$5,7081100 ft3$5.19
4 Bedrooms$8,2221600 ft3$5.14
5+ Bedrooms$9,1601800 ft3$5.09