Idaho to Tennessee Moving Guide
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Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a 1,988 mile interstate move from Idaho to Tennessee? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Tennessee across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Memphis Barbecue), real estate & housing (ranch and craftsman vs colonial, victorian, and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Memphis Barbecue & Hot Chicken
- Tennessee housing costs are 30% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Tennessee is 4.07% more expensive than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Tennessee will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended Idaho to Tennessee movers is 208 Moving Company

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

208 Moving Company
Best moving company overall for Idaho to Tennessee

Valley Custom Moving

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC
Idaho to Tennessee Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Tennessee
- Harsh winters
- Remote location
- Limited cultural events
- Fewer job opportunities
- Less diversity
- Milder climate
- More connectivity
- Rich music scene
- Growing job market
- Greater diversity
- Higher humidity
- More allergies
- Potential for congestion
- Higher property taxes
- Faster pace
- Natural beauty
- Outdoor activities
- Low traffic
- Lower living costs
- Simple lifestyle
Pros of moving from Idaho to Tennessee
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from a remote location and moving to Tennessee with more connectivity
- Swap the limited cultural events of Idaho for a rich music scene in Tennessee
- Get ready for a growing job market in Tennessee
Cons of moving from Idaho to Tennessee
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in Idaho to live with higher humidity in Tennessee
- You'll lose out on the pro of outdoor activities and have to settle for the con of more allergies
- Time to bid farewell to low traffic and get used to the potential for congestion in Tennessee
- Swap lower living costs for higher property taxes
Idaho vs. Tennessee: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Memphis Barbecue |
Most popular meat dish | Trout | Hot Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Fry Bread | Barbecue Nachos |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Mushroom Risotto | BBQ Tofu |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Idaho to Tennessee, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Memphis Barbecue of Tennessee. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Trout and sumptuous Fry Bread, Tennessee residents know they have tasty Hot Chicken and Barbecue Nachos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Mushroom Risotto they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Tofu of Tennessee. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like The Boise Statehouse, Coeur d'Alene Resort, and Trillium Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Tennessee, don't wait too long before making your way to Tennessee's acclaimed eateries like Central BBQ, Husk Nashville, and Prince's Hot Chicken Shack.
When comparing lifestyles, Tennessee shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Tennessee, compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Tennessee.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Tennessee
Comparison | Idaho | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch and Craftsman | Colonial, Victorian, and Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, outdoor space | Historic features, proximity to music venues |
- The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Colonial, Victorian, and Craftsman architecture typical of Tennessee.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and outdoor space, Tennessee real estate listings often highlight features like historic elements and proximity to music venues.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Tennessee is more walkable than Idaho.
- Tennessee is similarly bike-friendly to Idaho.
- Tennessee has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Tennessee housing costs are 30% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $317,482 compared to Idahoβs $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Tennessee have increased by 63% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Tennessee is 4.07% more expensive than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Tennessee
Comparison | Idaho | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Floods | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 49Β°F | 89Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 17Β°F | 49Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 18.9 | 53.7 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 19.2 | 5.8 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Idaho to Tennessee. Tennessee gets 4% more sunshine days than Idaho.
- Tennessee has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Tennessee.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Tennessee is 4 degrees warmer than in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 13 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Tennessee. Tennessee receives 34.8 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Tennessee
Comparison | Idaho | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $65,254 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 88.9 |
State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.69% | 0.64% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 9.55% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Tourism | Automotive, Healthcare, Music |
Affluence | Moderate | Variable |
Poverty | Below Average | Above Average |
Homelessness | Low | Medium |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Tennessee tend to earn about 10% less than in Idaho
- The COLI in Tennessee will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in Idaho
- Hooray, moving to TN means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Tennessee is variable compared to moderate in Idaho
- The poverty level is above average in Tennessee compared to below average in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and medium in Tennessee
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Tennessee
Comparison | Idaho | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Generally conservative; Republicans dominate statewide offices and the legislature. Federal delegation is largely Republican. Democratic support is concentrated in Boise and a few college/resort areas. | Strongly conservative; Republicans hold the governorship and supermajorities in the legislature. Federal delegation is mostly Republican. Democratic strength is centered in Nashville (Davidson County) and Memphis (Shelby County). |
Local Politics | Common focuses include growth and land use, water rights, property taxes, education funding (including school levies), public lands, and gun policy. City and school board races are often nonpartisan; urban pockets (e.g., Boise, Moscow, Sun Valley area) lean more moderate-to-liberal than rural areas. | Common focuses include economic development, infrastructure and growth management, public safety, school funding and curriculum, zoning/short-term rentals, and taxes/fees. State preemption shapes big-city policy. Urban areas (Nashville, Memphis) lean more progressive; suburbs and rural counties lean more conservative. |
Religion | Predominantly Christian with a notable Latter-day Saint presence, especially in the east and southeast. Evangelical and mainline Protestants are widespread. Religiously unaffiliated residents are a visible minority, growing in Boise and college towns. | Predominantly Christian, with a large evangelical Protestant presence and higher average church attendance. Latter-day Saint presence is smaller. Religiously unaffiliated share is lower than the national average but growing in urban areas. |
- Idaho tends to lean generally conservative in its political climate. Republicans dominate statewide offices and the legislature. The federal delegation is largely Republican. Democratic support is concentrated in Boise and a few college and resort areas.
- Tennessee, on the other hand, is often described as strongly conservative. Republicans hold the governorship and supermajorities in the legislature. The federal delegation is mostly Republican. Democratic strength is centered in Nashville (Davidson County) and Memphis (Shelby County).
- Tennessee's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian, with a large evangelical Protestant presence and higher average church attendance. The Latter-day Saint presence is smaller. The share of the religiously unaffiliated is lower than the national average but is growing in urban areas.
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian, with a notable Latter-day Saint presence, especially in the east and southeast. Evangelical and mainline Protestants are widespread. Religiously unaffiliated residents are a visible minority, growing in Boise and college towns.
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Tennessee
Comparison | Idaho | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University Boise | University of Tennessee Knoxville |
Idaho State University Pocatello | Vanderbilt University Nashville | |
University of Idaho Moscow | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro | |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Longfellow Elementary School Boise | Julia Green Elementary School Nashville |
Pioneer School of the Arts Boise | Farragut Intermediate School Knoxville | |
McCall-Donnelly Elementary McCall | Linden Elementary School Oak Ridge | |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Junior High School Boise | Merrol Hyde Magnet School Hendersonville |
Treasure Valley Math and Science Center Boise | Brentwood Middle School Brentwood | |
McCall-Donnelly Middle School McCall | Farragut Middle School Knoxville | |
Top 3 High Schools | Boise High School Boise | Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet School Nashville |
Timberline High School Boise | University School of Nashville Nashville | |
McCall-Donnelly High School McCall | Brentwood High School Brentwood | |
Top 3 private high schools | Riverstone International School Boise | Montgomery Bell Academy Nashville |
The Ambrose School Meridian | St. Mary's Episcopal School Memphis | |
Sun Valley Community School Sun Valley | Ensworth School Nashville | |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Riverstone International School Boise | Harpeth Hall School Nashville |
Emmaus Classical Academy Emmett | Baylor School Chattanooga | |
The Ambrose School Meridian | Memphis University School Memphis | |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise Independent School District | Williamson County Schools |
West Ada School District | Maryville City Schools | |
Blaine County School District | Germantown Municipal School District |
How Much Do Idaho to Tennessee Movers Cost?
Moving 1,988 miles from Idaho to Tennessee will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-4.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,330 | 300 ft3 | $7.77 |
1 Bedroom | $3,472 | 450 ft3 | $7.72 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,749 | 750 ft3 | $7.67 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,377 | 1100 ft3 | $7.62 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,104 | 1600 ft3 | $7.57 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,527 | 1800 ft3 | $7.52 |