Movers

Missouri to Tennessee Moving Guide

Updated June 3, 2025

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Planning a 477 mile interstate move from Missouri to Tennessee? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs Tennessee across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe winter weather vs milder winters), food & health (like St. Louis-style Pizza vs Nashville Hot Chicken), real estate & housing (midwestern traditional vs victorian and colonial revivals), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Missouri), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to St. Louis-style Pizza and Kansas City Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Nashville Hot Chicken & Memphis Barbecue
  • Tennessee housing costs are 31% more expensive than they are in Missouri
  • Rent in Tennessee is 25.96% more expensive than in Missouri
  • Moving from Missouri to Tennessee will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended Missouri to Tennessee movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Missouri to Tennessee Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to Tennessee

ConsMissouri iconMissouri
  • Severe winter weather
  • Higher property taxes
  • Limited job market
  • No ocean access
ProsTennessee iconTennessee
  • Milder winters
  • Lower property taxes
  • Growing job opportunities
  • Proximity to the coast

Tennessee iconTennessee
  • Varied school quality
  • Higher living costs
  • More modern history
  • Fewer city sights
Missouri iconMissouri
  • Great public schools
  • Low cost of living
  • Rich cultural history
  • St. Louis attractions

Pros of moving from Missouri to Tennessee

  • Say goodbye to severe winter weather and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from higher property taxes and moving to Tennessee with lower property taxes
  • Swap the limited job market of Missouri for growing job opportunities in Tennessee
  • Get ready for proximity to the coast in Tennessee

Cons of moving from Missouri to Tennessee

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from great public schools in Missouri to live with varied school quality in Tennessee
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a low cost of living and have to settle with the con of higher living costs
  • Time to bid farewell to rich cultural history and get used to more modern history in Tennessee
  • Swap St. Louis attractions for fewer city sights

Missouri vs. Tennessee: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMissouriTennessee
Most iconic local food itemSt. Louis-style PizzaNashville Hot Chicken
Most popular meat dishKansas City BarbecueMemphis Barbecue
Most popular street food itemToasted RavioliBBQ Nachos
Most popular vegan foodCauliflower WingsBarbecue Jackfruit
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Pi Pizzeria
  • Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
  • Hattie B's Hot Chicken
  • Central BBQ
  • The Loveless Cafe
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 Missouri to Tennessee, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-style pizza of Missouri for the equally delicious Nashville hot chicken of Tennessee. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Kansas City barbecue and sumptuous toasted ravioli, Tennessee residents know they have tasty Memphis barbecue and BBQ nachos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the cauliflower wings they've grown to love, they can get ready for the barbecue jackfruit of Tennessee. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Pi Pizzeria, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. 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, Central BBQ, and The Loveless Cafe.

When comparing lifestyles, Tennessee shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Tennessee compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Tennessee.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and Tennessee

ComparisonMissouriTennessee
Typical Architecture StyleMidwestern TraditionalVictorian and Colonial Revivals
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 listingSpacious yards, family-friendly neighborhoodsOutdoor living spaces, proximity to amenities
  • The Midwestern Traditional architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Colonial Revivals architecture typical of Tennessee.
  • Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and family-friendly neighborhoods, Tennessee real estate listings often highlight features like outdoor living spaces and proximity to amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Tennessee is more walkable than Missouri.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Tennessee is more bike-friendly than Missouri.
  • Tennessee has more of an urban feel than Missouri.
  • Tennessee housing costs are 31% more expensive than they are in Missouri with a median home price of $317,482 compared to Missouri’s $243,216.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Tennessee have increased by 63% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
  • Rent in Tennessee is 25.96% more expensive than in Missouri.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and Tennessee

ComparisonMissouriTennessee
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, FloodsTornadoes, Severe Storms
Air QualityModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/6789/68
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40/2147/28
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4253
Annual Snowfall (Inches)185
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Missouri to Tennessee. Tennessee gets 1% more sunshine days than Missouri.
  • Tennessee has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Missouri.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe storms in Tennessee.
  • The average summer high temperature in Tennessee is the same as Missouri at degrees.
  • The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer than they are in Missouri.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Tennessee. Tennessee receives 11 more inches of rain compared to Missouri.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and Tennessee

ComparisonMissouriTennessee
Avg. Household Income$64,811$65,254
Cost of Living Index91.888.9
State Income TaxMaximum 5.4%No state income tax
Avg. Property Tax0.93%0.64%
Avg. Sales Tax8.19%9.55%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Aerospace, TransportationHealthcare, Automotive, Tourism
AffluenceModerateMixed
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessRelatively LowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Tennessee tend to earn about 1% more than those in Missouri
  • The COLI in Tennessee will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in Missouri
  • The state income tax in TN is no state income tax compared to a maximum of 5.4% in MO
  • The affluence in Tennessee is mixed compared to moderate affluence in Missouri
  • The poverty level is moderate in Tennessee compared to moderate in Missouri
  • In terms of homelessness, it is relatively low in Missouri and moderate in Tennessee

Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. Tennessee

ComparisonMissouriTennessee
Political Make-upLean RepublicanStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsMixed, with urban areas trending DemocraticConservative, with some urban exceptions
ReligionChristian majority, diverse religious presenceChristian majority, heavily Evangelical
  • Missouri tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • Tennessee, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
  • Tennessee's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority, heavily Evangelical
  • Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a diverse religious presence

Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to Tennessee

ComparisonMissouriTennessee
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Missouri
Missouri State University
Washington University in St. Louis
University of Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Tennessee State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMason Ridge Elementary
Parkway; John Thomas School of Discovery
Nixa; Kennard Classical Junior Academy
St. Louis
Lakeland Elementary School
Lakeland; Walnut Grove Elementary
Franklin; Clovercroft Elementary
Franklin
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLadue Middle School
St. Louis; Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City; John Burroughs School
St. Louis
Meigs Magnet School
Nashville; Brentwood Middle School
Brentwood; Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences
Chattanooga
Top 3 High SchoolsClayton High School
Clayton; Kirkwood Senior High
Kirkwood; Ladue Horton Watkins High
Ladue
Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High
Nashville; Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet High
Nashville; Central Magnet School
Murfreesboro
Top 3 private high schoolsThomas Jefferson School
St. Louis; Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City; John Burroughs School
St. Louis
Brentwood Academy
Brentwood; Baylor School
Chattanooga; McCallie School
Chattanooga
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsMICDS - Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School
St. Louis; The Barstow School
Kansas City; The Fulton School at St. Albans
St. Albans
Baylor School
Chattanooga; Harpeth Hall School
Nashville; University School of Nashville
Nashville
Top 3 School DistrictsClayton School District; Ladue School District; Parkway School DistrictWilliamson County Schools; Franklin Special School District; Maryville City Schools

How Much Do Missouri to Tennessee Movers Cost?

Moving 477 miles from Missouri to Tennessee will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,473300 ft3$4.91
1 Bedroom$2,187450 ft3$4.86
2 Bedrooms$3,607750 ft3$4.81
3 Bedrooms$5,2361100 ft3$4.76
4 Bedrooms$7,5351600 ft3$4.71
5+ Bedrooms$8,3871800 ft3$4.66

Top Missouri to Tennessee Movers

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

TOP PICK
Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC featured image

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Best moving company overall for Missouri to Tennessee

9.62/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Alpha Moving & Storage LLC featured image

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Tiger Moving LLC featured image

Tiger Moving LLC

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details