Massachusetts to Tennessee Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 1,120 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to Tennessee? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs Tennessee across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower living expenses), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Barbecue Ribs), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs victorian, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Clam Chowder and Lobster Roll, but get your taste buds ready for Barbecue Ribs & Hot Chicken
- Tennessee housing costs are 48% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
- Rent in Tennessee is 33.78% more affordable than in Massachusetts
- Moving from Massachusetts to Tennessee will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Massachusetts to Tennessee movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Massachusetts to Tennessee Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to Tennessee
- High cost of living
- Cold winters
- Lack of space
- Traffic congestion
- Lower living expenses
- Mild winters
- More spacious living
- Less traffic
- Fewer historical sites
- Less diverse
- Fewer top schools
- Limited dining options
- Rich history
- Cultural diversity
- Excellent education
- Renowned restaurants
Pros of moving from Massachusetts to Tennessee
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower living expenses
- Look forward to moving away from cold winters and moving to Tennessee with mild winters
- Swap the lack of space in Massachusetts for more spacious living in Tennessee
- Get ready for less traffic in Tennessee
Cons of moving from Massachusetts to Tennessee
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Massachusetts to live with fewer historical sites in Tennessee
- You'll lose out on the pro of cultural diversity and have to settle for the con of less diversity
- Time to bid farewell to excellent education and get used to fewer top schools in Tennessee
- Swap renowned restaurants for limited dining options
Massachusetts vs. Tennessee: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Massachusetts | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster Roll | Hot Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Fried Clams | Barbecue Nachos |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 Massachusetts to Tennessee, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Barbecue Ribs of Tennessee. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Lobster Roll and sumptuous Fried Clams, Tennessee residents know they have tasty Hot Chicken and Barbecue Nachos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad 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 Massachusetts eateries like Woodman's of Essex, Union Oyster House, and Neptune Oyster. After the boxes are unpacked in Tennessee, don't wait too long before making your way to Tennessee's acclaimed eateries like Hattie B's Hot Chicken, Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous, and Central BBQ.
When comparing lifestyles, Tennessee shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Tennessee compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Tennessee.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and Tennessee
Comparison | Massachusetts | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Victorian, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Close to public transportation, eco-friendly features | Spacious yards, proximity to natural attractions |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Ranch architecture typical of Tennessee.
- Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to public transportation and eco-friendly features, Tennessee real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and proximity to natural attractions.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Tennessee is less walkable than Massachusetts.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Tennessee is less bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
- Tennessee has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
- Tennessee housing costs are 48% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $317,482 compared to Massachusettsβs $612,509.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Tennessee have increased by 63% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
- Rent in Tennessee is 33.78% more affordable than in Massachusetts.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and Tennessee
Comparison | Massachusetts | 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 | Winter storms, hurricanes | Tornadoes, floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 60Β°F | 89Β°F / 69Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 22Β°F | 49Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 48" | 54" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 43.8" | 5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Massachusetts to Tennessee. Tennessee gets 4% more sunshine days than Massachusetts.
- Tennessee has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Massachusetts.
- Say goodbye to the possible winter storms and hurricanes in Massachusetts, 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 9 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
- The average winter lows are 8 degrees warmer than they are in Massachusetts.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Tennessee. Tennessee receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and Tennessee
Comparison | Massachusetts | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $65,254 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 88.9 |
State Income Tax | 5 | 0 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.23 | 0.64 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25 | 9.55 |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Finance | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Growing |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Tennessee tend to earn about 31% less than those in Massachusetts
- The COLI in Tennessee will be 27% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
- Hooray, moving to TN means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Tennessee is moderate compared to high in Massachusetts
- The poverty level is moderate in Tennessee compared to low in Massachusetts
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Massachusetts and growing in Tennessee
Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. Tennessee
Comparison | Massachusetts | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Conservative/Republican |
Local Politics | Democratic majority in state legislature | Republican majority in state legislature |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated; diverse religions | Highly religious; predominantly Christian |
- Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Tennessee, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative/Republican
- Tennessee's religious environment can be described as highly religious and predominantly Christian
- Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated and diverse religions
Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to Tennessee
Comparison | Massachusetts | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | MIT (Cambridge) Harvard University (Cambridge) Tufts University (Medford) | University of Tennessee (Knoxville) Vanderbilt University (Nashville) Belmont University (Nashville) |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Thompson Elementary (Arlington) Bowman Elementary (Lexington) Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester) | Lipscomb Elementary (Brentwood) Percy Priest Elementary (Nashville) Clovercroft Elementary (Franklin) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Amigos School (Cambridge) Boston Latin (Boston) William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) | Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood) Meigs Magnet Middle School (Nashville) Bailey STEM Magnet Middle School (Nashville) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High School (Lexington) Brookline High School (Brookline) | Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School (Nashville) Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro) Merrol Hyde Magnet School (Hendersonville) |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy (Andover) Groton School (Groton) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) | Baylor School (Chattanooga) Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville) Harpeth Hall School (Nashville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Boston University Academy (Boston) The Winsor School (Boston) The Cambridge School of Weston (Weston) | Baylor School (Chattanooga) University School of Nashville (Nashville) Webb School of Knoxville (Knoxville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lexington Newton Wellesley | Williamson County Oak Ridge City Maryville City |
How Much Do Massachusetts to Tennessee Movers Cost?
Moving 1,120 miles from Massachusetts to Tennessee will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,837 | 300 ft3 | $6.12 |
1 Bedroom | $2,734 | 450 ft3 | $6.07 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,519 | 750 ft3 | $6.02 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,572 | 1100 ft3 | $5.97 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,480 | 1600 ft3 | $5.92 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,575 | 1800 ft3 | $5.87 |
Top Massachusetts to Tennessee Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to Tennessee movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to Tennessee