Tennessee to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 703 mile interstate move from Tennessee to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humid summers vs cooler summer temperatures), food & health (like Barbecue vs Half-smoke), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs victorian, federal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Barbecue and Hot Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Half-smoke & Mumbo Sauce Wings
- DC housing costs are 95% more expensive than they are in Tennessee
- Rent in DC is 42.73% more expensive than in Tennessee
- Moving from Tennessee to DC will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Tennessee to DC movers is Bookstore Movers
Tennessee to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to DC
- Humid summers
- Limited public transit
- Fewer cultural events
- Less diverse food scene
- Cooler summer temperatures
- Extensive metro system
- Vibrant cultural scene
- International cuisine options
- More expensive overall
- Fast-paced environment
- Less outdoor space
- More transient city vibes
- Lower cost of living
- Slower pace of life
- Scenic nature spots
- Tight-knit community
Pros of moving from Tennessee to DC
- Say goodbye to humid summers and hello to cooler summer temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to DC with an extensive metro system
- Swap the fewer cultural events of Tennessee for a vibrant cultural scene in DC
- Get ready for international cuisine options in DC
Cons of moving from Tennessee to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Tennessee to live with a more expensive overall cost in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of a slower pace of life and have to settle for the con of a fast-paced environment
- Time to bid farewell to scenic nature spots and get used to less outdoor space in DC
- Swap a tight-knit community for more transient city vibes
Tennessee vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Tennessee | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Barbecue | Half-smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Hot Chicken | Mumbo Sauce Wings |
Most popular street food item | Barbecue Nachos | Food Truck Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Vegan Ethiopian Cuisine |
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 Tennessee to DC, you will be trading the iconic Barbecue of Tennessee for the equally delicious Half-smoke of DC. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful Hot Chicken and sumptuous Barbecue Nachos, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce Wings and Food Truck Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Ethiopian Cuisine of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tennessee eateries like The Loveless Cafe, Prince's Hot Chicken Shack, and Rendezvous. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rose's Luxury, and Zaytinya.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Tennessee. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in Tennessee. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and DC
Comparison | Tennessee | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Victorian, Federal |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, privacy | Close to metro, vibrant neighborhoods |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Federal architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to metro and vibrant neighborhoods.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; DC is more walkable than Tennessee.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; DC is more bike-friendly than Tennessee.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Tennessee.
- DC housing costs are 95% more expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Tennesseeβs $317,482.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased by 8% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
- Rent in DC is 42.73% more expensive than in Tennessee.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Tennessee and DC
Comparison | Tennessee | DC |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Severe Storms, Winter storms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/69 | 87/71 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49/30 | 47/29 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 40 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 15.4 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Tennessee to DC. DC gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Tennessee.
- DC has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Tennessee.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Tennessee, but be on the lookout for potential severe storms and winter storms in DC.
- The average summer high temperature in DC is 2 degrees colder than in Tennessee.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree colder than they are in Tennessee.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in DC, as it receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and DC
Comparison | Tennessee | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,254 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 88.9 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 0 | 4 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.64 | 0.55 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.55 | 6 |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture | Government, Education, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 55% more than in Tennessee
- The COLI in DC will be 58% higher than what you are used to living in Tennessee
- Bummer... By moving from TN to DC, you'll now have a state income tax of 4
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate in Tennessee
- The poverty level is low in DC compared to moderate in Tennessee
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Tennessee and moderate in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. DC
Comparison | Tennessee | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative/Republican leaning | Liberal/Democrat leaning |
Local Politics | State-wide Republicans control | Dominated by Democrats |
Religion | Protestant majority | Less religiously affiliated, diverse faiths |
- Tennessee tends to lean Conservative/Republican in its political climate
- D.C., on the other hand, is often described as Liberal/Democrat leaning
- D.C.'s religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated and diverse faiths
- Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant majority
Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to DC
Comparison | Tennessee | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Tennessee Vanderbilt University Tennessee State University | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Linden Elementary School (Oak Ridge) Lipscomb Elementary School (Brentwood) Percy Priest Elementary School (Nashville) | Basis DC Capitol Hill Montessori School at Logan Eaton Elementary School |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood) West End Middle School (Nashville) Houston Middle School (Germantown) | Deal Middle School Hardy Middle School Alice Deal Middle School |
Top 3 High Schools | Hume-Fogg Academic High School (Nashville) Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro) Brentwood High School (Brentwood) | Benjamin Banneker Academic High School School Without Walls High School McKinley Technology High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Baylor School (Chattanooga) Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville) Harpeth Hall School (Nashville) | Georgetown Preparatory School Sidwell Friends School Gonzaga College High School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Baylor School (Chattanooga) Webb School of Knoxville University School of Nashville | Sidwell Friends School National Cathedral School Maret School |
Top 3 School Districts | Williamson County Schools Germantown Municipal Schools Maryville City Schools | District of Columbia Public Schools |
How Much Do Tennessee to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 703 miles from Tennessee to DC will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,601 | 300 ft3 | $5.34 |
1 Bedroom | $2,379 | 450 ft3 | $5.29 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,928 | 750 ft3 | $5.24 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,705 | 1100 ft3 | $5.19 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,219 | 1600 ft3 | $5.14 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,156 | 1800 ft3 | $5.09 |
Top Tennessee to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Tennessee to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.