Pennsylvania to Tennessee Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 816 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Tennessee? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Tennessee across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high taxes vs lower taxes), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Barbecue Ribs), real estate & housing (colonial, dutch colonial vs victorian, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Scrapple, but get your taste buds ready for Barbecue Ribs & Hot Chicken
- Tennessee housing costs are 21% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Tennessee is 13.29% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to Tennessee will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Tennessee movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Pennsylvania to Tennessee Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Tennessee
- High taxes
- Cold winters
- Dense traffic
- Higher cost of living
- Older infrastructure
- Lower taxes
- Mild winters
- Less congestion
- Affordable living
- Newer developments
- Less historic sites
- Limited school options
- Humid summers
- Less urban amenities
- Less cultural diversity
- Rich history
- Top-tier schools
- Four seasons
- Vibrant city life
- Diverse culture
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Tennessee
- Say goodbye to high taxes and hello to lower taxes
- Look forward to moving away from cold winters and moving to Tennessee with mild winters
- Swap the dense traffic of Pennsylvania for less congestion in Tennessee
- Get ready for affordable living in Tennessee
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Tennessee
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich history in Pennsylvania to live with fewer historic sites in Tennessee
- You'll lose out on the pro of top-tier schools and have to settle for the con of limited school options
- Time to bid farewell to four seasons and get used to humid summers in Tennessee
- Swap vibrant city life for fewer urban amenities
Pennsylvania vs. Tennessee: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Scrapple | Hot Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Pretzels | Pulled Pork Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Cheesesteak | BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich |
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 Pennsylvania to Tennessee, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Barbecue Ribs of Tennessee. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Scrapple and sumptuous Pretzels, Tennessee residents know they have tasty Hot Chicken and Pulled Pork Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Cheesesteak they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich of Tennessee. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Pat's King of Steaks, and Zahav. After the boxes are unpacked in Tennessee, don't wait too long before making your way to Tennessee's acclaimed eateries like Arnold's Country Kitchen, Prince's Hot Chicken, and The Rendezvous.
When comparing lifestyles, Tennessee shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Tennessee compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Tennessee.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Tennessee
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Dutch Colonial | Victorian, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, granite countertops | Open floor plans, large backyards |
- The Colonial and Dutch Colonial architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Craftsman architecture typical of Tennessee.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Tennessee real estate listings often highlight features like open floor plans and large backyards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Tennessee is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Tennessee is less bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- Tennessee has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- Tennessee housing costs are 21% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $317,482 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Tennessee have increased by 63% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Tennessee is 13.29% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Tennessee
Comparison | Pennsylvania | 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 | Snowstorms, Flooding | Tornadoes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 89/68 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/20 | 49/30 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 53 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 5 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Tennessee. Tennessee gets 16% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- Tennessee has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and flooding in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and flooding in Tennessee.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Tennessee is 4 degrees warmer than in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Tennessee. Tennessee receives 11 more inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Tennessee
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $65,254 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 88.9 |
State Income Tax | 3.07% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.58% | 0.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education | Manufacturing, Tourism, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Tennessee tend to earn about 9% less than in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in Tennessee will be 11% lower than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- Hooray, moving to TN means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Tennessee is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is high in Tennessee compared to moderate poverty in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Pennsylvania and low in Tennessee
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Tennessee
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state with a mix of Democratic and Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Urban areas lean Democratic, rural areas lean Republican | Republican, with urban exceptions like Nashville and Memphis |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Christianity predominant, heavily Evangelical |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean swing state with a mix of Democratic and Republican in its political climate
- Tennessee, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- Tennessee's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian and heavily Evangelical
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian and diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Tennessee
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Penn State University University of Pennsylvania Temple University | University of Tennessee Vanderbilt University Tennessee State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Albert M. Greenfield School (Philadelphia) Pittsburgh Liberty K-5 (Pittsburgh) Ad Prima Charter School (Philadelphia) | Lockeland Elementary Design Center (Nashville) New Hope Christian Academy (Memphis) Franklin Elementary School (Franklin) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Charles F. Patton Middle School (Kennett Square) | Meigs Magnet Middle School (Nashville) Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood) Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School (Nashville) |
Top 3 High Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Conestoga Senior High School (Berwyn) Central High School (Philadelphia) | Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School (Nashville) MLK Jr. Magnet- Pearl High School (Nashville) Brentwood High School (Brentwood) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) The Haverford School (Haverford) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) | Baylor School (Chattanooga) Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville) University School of Nashville (Nashville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Agnes Irwin School (Rosemont) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) Friends' Central School (Wynnewood) | Baylor School (Chattanooga) University School of Nashville (Nashville) Harding Academy (Nashville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Tredyffrin/Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District | Williamson County Schools Maryville City Schools Oak Ridge School District |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to Tennessee Movers Cost?
Moving 816 miles from Pennsylvania to Tennessee will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,665 | 300 ft3 | $5.55 |
1 Bedroom | $2,475 | 450 ft3 | $5.50 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,088 | 750 ft3 | $5.45 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,940 | 1100 ft3 | $5.40 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,561 | 1600 ft3 | $5.35 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,541 | 1800 ft3 | $5.30 |
Top Pennsylvania to Tennessee Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Tennessee movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Tennessee