Minnesota to Tennessee Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 1,100 mile interstate move from Minnesota to Tennessee? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Tennessee across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like frigid winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Hotdish vs Barbecue Ribs), real estate & housing (modern and nordic influenced vs traditional and colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Hotdish and Walleye, but get your taste buds ready for Barbecue Ribs & Hot Chicken
- Tennessee housing costs are 4% less expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in Tennessee is 0.88% more expensive than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to Tennessee will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Minnesota to Tennessee movers is Metro Movers
Minnesota to Tennessee Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Tennessee
- Frigid winters
- High taxes
- Limited southern cuisine
- Less country music
- Higher living costs in cities
- Milder winters
- No state income tax
- Rich southern food scene
- Music City - Nashville
- Lower cost of living
- Less art-focused culture
- Hot, humid summers
- Fewer public parks
- Fewer dining options
- Thriving arts scene
- Four distinct seasons
- Great public parks
- Innovative restaurants
Pros of moving from Minnesota to Tennessee
- Say goodbye to frigid winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from high taxes and moving to Tennessee with no state income tax
- Swap the limited southern cuisine of Minnesota for the rich southern food scene in Tennessee
- Get ready for Music City - Nashville in Tennessee
Cons of moving from Minnesota to Tennessee
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the thriving arts scene in Minnesota to live with a less art-focused culture in Tennessee
- You'll lose out on the pro of four distinct seasons and have to settle for the con of hot, humid summers
- Time to bid farewell to great public parks and get used to fewer public parks in Tennessee
- Swap innovative restaurants for fewer dining options
Minnesota vs. Tennessee: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Hot Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Cheese Curds | Pulled Pork Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Soup | 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 Minnesota to Tennessee, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Barbecue Ribs of Tennessee. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Cheese Curds, Tennessee residents know they have tasty Hot Chicken and Pulled Pork Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Soup 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 Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, The State Room, and Murray's. After the boxes are unpacked in Tennessee, don't wait too long before making your way to Tennessee's acclaimed eateries like Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous, Prince's Hot Chicken, and Hattie B's Hot Chicken.
When comparing lifestyles, Tennessee shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Tennessee compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Tennessee.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Tennessee
Comparison | Minnesota | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern and Nordic Influenced | Traditional and Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeside views, Spacious backyards | Historical landmarks, Proximity to music venues |
- The Modern and Nordic Influenced architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Traditional and Colonial architecture typical of Tennessee.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside views and spacious backyards, Tennessee real estate listings often highlight features like historical landmarks and proximity to music venues.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Tennessee is less walkable than Minnesota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Tennessee is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- Tennessee has less of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- Tennessee housing costs are 4% less expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $317,482 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Tennessee have increased 63% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in Tennessee is 0.88% more expensive than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and Tennessee
Comparison | Minnesota | 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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 89Β°F / 69Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F / 7Β°F | 49Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30.21" | 53.68" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 54" | 5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to Tennessee. Tennessee gets 5% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
- Tennessee has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota, 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 6 degrees warmer than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows are 23 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Tennessee. Tennessee receives 23.5 more inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Tennessee
Comparison | Minnesota | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $65,254 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 88.9 |
State Income Tax | 5.35-9.85% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.08% | 0.64% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.40% | 9.55% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Healthcare, Finance, Entertainment |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Tennessee tend to earn about 21% less than in Minnesota
- The COLI in Tennessee will be 10% lower than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- Hooray, moving to TN means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Tennessee is moderate compared to moderate in Minnesota
- The poverty level is moderate in Tennessee compared to moderate in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Minnesota and moderate in Tennessee
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Tennessee
Comparison | Minnesota | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Liberal | Conservative |
Local Politics | Democratic Leaning | Republican Leaning |
Religion | Lutheran, Catholic | Baptist, Evangelical |
- Minnesota tends to lean moderately liberal in its political climate
- Tennessee, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- Tennessee's religious environment can be described as Baptist and Evangelical
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Lutheran and Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Tennessee
Comparison | Minnesota | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota Carleton College Macalester College | University of Tennessee Vanderbilt University Tennessee State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka) Deephaven Elementary (Deephaven) Greenwood Elementary (Plymouth) | Lipscomb Elementary (Brentwood) Percy Priest Elementary (Nashville) Clovercroft Elementary (Franklin) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Wayzata Central Middle School (Plymouth) Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) Eden Prairie Central Middle School (Eden Prairie) | Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood) Woodland Middle School (Brentwood) West End Middle School (Nashville) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Edina High School (Edina) Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) Wayzata High School (Plymouth) | Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School (Nashville) Brentwood High School (Brentwood) Ravenwood High School (Brentwood) |
Top 3 private high schools | Breck School (Minneapolis) Blake School (Hopkins) St. Paul Academy (St. Paul) | Baylor School (Chattanooga) Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville) Harpeth Hall School (Nashville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The International School of Minnesota (Eden Prairie) Mounds Park Academy (St. Paul) Breck School (Minneapolis) | Baylor School (Chattanooga) The Webb School (Bell Buckle) University School of Nashville (Nashville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public School District Edina Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools | Williamson County Schools Franklin Special School District Maryville City Schools |
How Much Do Minnesota to Tennessee Movers Cost?
Moving 1,100 miles from Minnesota 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: 2-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,826 | 300 ft3 | $6.09 |
1 Bedroom | $2,717 | 450 ft3 | $6.04 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,490 | 750 ft3 | $5.99 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,531 | 1100 ft3 | $5.94 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,419 | 1600 ft3 | $5.89 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,507 | 1800 ft3 | $5.84 |
Top Minnesota to Tennessee Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to Tennessee movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.