Movers

Idaho to Tennessee Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

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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

Idaho to Tennessee Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Tennessee

ConsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Harsh winters
  • Remote location
  • Limited cultural events
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Less diversity
ProsTennessee iconTennessee
  • Milder climate
  • More connectivity
  • Rich music scene
  • Growing job market
  • Greater diversity

Tennessee iconTennessee
  • Higher humidity
  • More allergies
  • Potential for congestion
  • Higher property taxes
  • Faster pace
Idaho iconIdaho
  • 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

ComparisonIdahoTennessee
Most iconic local food itemIdaho PotatoesMemphis Barbecue
Most popular meat dishTroutHot Chicken
Most popular street food itemFry BreadBarbecue Nachos
Most popular vegan foodWild Mushroom RisottoBBQ Tofu
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Boise Statehouse
  • Coeur d'Alene Resort
  • Trillium Restaurant
  • Central BBQ
  • Husk Nashville
  • Prince's Hot Chicken Shack
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonIdahoTennessee
Typical Architecture StyleRanch and CraftsmanColonial, Victorian, and Craftsman
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingMountain views, outdoor spaceHistoric 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 Idaho’s $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

ComparisonIdahoTennessee
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersWildfires, FloodsTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (°F)85°F / 49°F89°F / 67°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)37°F / 17°F49°F / 30°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)18.953.7
Annual Snowfall (Inches)19.25.8
  • 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

ComparisonIdahoTennessee
Avg. Household Income$72,785$65,254
Cost of Living Index91.588.9
State Income Tax6.5%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.69%0.64%
Avg. Sales Tax6%9.55%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, TourismAutomotive, Healthcare, Music
AffluenceModerateVariable
PovertyBelow AverageAbove Average
HomelessnessLowMedium
  • 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

ComparisonIdahoTennessee
Political Make-upConservativeConservative
Local PoliticsRepublican DominanceRepublican Dominance
ReligionLDS Church ProminentProtestant Majority
  • Idaho tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • Tennessee, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
  • Tennessee's religious environment can be described as Protestant majority
  • Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as LDS Church prominent

Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Tennessee

ComparisonIdahoTennessee
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
University of Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Tennessee State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLongfellow Elementary (Boise)
Roosevelt Elementary (Boise)
McCall-Donnelly Elementary (McCall)
Lipscomb Elementary (Brentwood)
Percy Priest Elementary (Nashville)
New Hope Academy (Franklin)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsNorth Star Charter School (Eagle)
Heritage Middle School (Meridian)
Lake Hazel Middle School (Boise)
Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood)
Meigs Magnet Middle School (Nashville)
Page Middle School (Franklin)
Top 3 High SchoolsBoise High School (Boise)
Renaissance High School (Meridian)
McCall-Donnelly High School (McCall)
Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School (Nashville)
Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro)
Brentwood High School (Brentwood)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Ambrose School (Meridian)
Bishop Kelly High School (Boise)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene)
Baylor School (Chattanooga)
Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville)
Harpeth Hall School (Nashville)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Sage School (Hailey)
Riverstone International School (Boise)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene)
University School of Nashville
The Ensworth School (Nashville)
Brentwood Academy (Brentwood)
Top 3 School DistrictsBoise School District
Blaine County School District
Coeur d'Alene School District
Williamson County Schools
Franklin Special School District
Oak Ridge City Schools

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 - $8,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,330300 ft3$7.77
1 Bedroom$3,472450 ft3$7.72
2 Bedrooms$5,749750 ft3$7.67
3 Bedrooms$8,3771100 ft3$7.62
4 Bedrooms$12,1041600 ft3$7.57
5+ Bedrooms$13,5271800 ft3$7.52

Top Idaho to Tennessee Movers

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

TOP PICK
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for Idaho to Tennessee

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Valley Custom Moving featured image

Valley Custom Moving

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Alpha Moving & Storage LLC featured image

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details