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Tennessee to North Carolina Moving Guide

Updated June 18, 2025

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Planning a 554 mile interstate move from Tennessee to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher state taxes vs more moderate climate), food & health (like Memphis BBQ vs Pulled pork), real estate & housing (traditional, colonial vs craftsman, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Carolina), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Memphis BBQ and Hot chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Pulled pork & Eastern-style BBQ
  • North Carolina housing costs are 4% more expensive than they are in Tennessee
  • Rent in North Carolina is 3.04% more expensive than in Tennessee
  • Moving from Tennessee to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Tennessee to North Carolina movers is Just Move It, LLC

Tennessee to North Carolina Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to North Carolina

ConsTennessee iconTennessee
  • Higher state taxes
  • Limited coastline
  • Fewer job sectors
ProsNorth Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • More moderate climate
  • Atlantic Ocean access
  • Thriving job market

North Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • State income tax
  • Higher living costs
  • Less iconic music scene
Tennessee iconTennessee
  • No state income tax
  • Lower cost of living
  • Rich musical heritage

Pros of moving from Tennessee to North Carolina

  • Say goodbye to higher state taxes and hello to a more moderate climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited coastline and moving to North Carolina with Atlantic Ocean access
  • Swap the fewer job sectors of Tennessee for a thriving job market in North Carolina

Cons of moving from Tennessee to North Carolina

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from no state income tax in Tennessee to live with state income tax in North Carolina
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle with the con of higher living costs
  • Time to bid farewell to a rich musical heritage and get used to a less iconic music scene in North Carolina

Tennessee vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonTennesseeNorth Carolina
Most iconic local food itemMemphis BBQPulled pork
Most popular meat dishHot chickenEastern-style BBQ
Most popular street food itemBBQ NachosCarolina-style hot dogs
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitBBQ Tofu
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Rendezvous
  • Prince's Hot Chicken Shack
  • Husk
  • 12 Bones Smokehouse
  • Skylight Inn BBQ
  • Cheerwine
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Tennessee to North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Memphis BBQ of Tennessee for the equally delicious pulled pork of North Carolina. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful hot chicken and sumptuous BBQ nachos, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Eastern-style BBQ and Carolina-style hot dogs 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 BBQ tofu of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tennessee eateries like The Rendezvous, Prince's Hot Chicken Shack, and Husk. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like 12 Bones Smokehouse, Skylight Inn BBQ, and Cheerwine.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and North Carolina

ComparisonTennesseeNorth Carolina
Typical Architecture StyleTraditional, ColonialCraftsman, Colonial
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 listingLarge yards, proximity to natural attractionsEnergy efficiency, community amenities
  • The Traditional and Colonial architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Colonial architecture typical of North Carolina.
  • Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to natural attractions, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and community amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Carolina is more walkable than Tennessee.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Carolina is more bike-friendly than Tennessee.
  • North Carolina has more of an urban feel than Tennessee.
  • North Carolina housing costs are 4% more expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Tennessee’s $317,482.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased 63% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
  • Rent in North Carolina is 3.04% more expensive than in Tennessee.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Tennessee and North Carolina

ComparisonTennesseeNorth Carolina
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 DisastersStorms, TornadoesHurricanes, Storms
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/6988/67
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)49/3050/31
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5450
Annual Snowfall (Inches)56
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Tennessee to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 3% more sunshine days than Tennessee.
  • North Carolina has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Tennessee.
  • Say goodbye to the possible storms and tornadoes in Tennessee, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and storms in North Carolina.
  • The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 1 degree colder than in Tennessee.
  • The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Tennessee.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and North Carolina

ComparisonTennesseeNorth Carolina
Avg. Household Income$65,254$67,481
Cost of Living Index88.995.85
State Income Tax0%5.25%
Avg. Property Tax0.74%0.85%
Avg. Sales Tax9.5%6.98%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Transportation, ManufacturingTechnology, Biotechnology, Finance
AffluenceModerateGrowing
PovertyAveragedDecreasing
HomelessnessStableConcerning
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 3% more than those in Tennessee
  • The COLI in North Carolina will be 8% higher than what you are used to living in Tennessee
  • Bummer... By moving from TN to NC, you'll now have a state income tax of 5.25%
  • The affluence in North Carolina is growing compared to moderate affluence in Tennessee
  • The poverty level is decreasing in North Carolina compared to the average in Tennessee
  • In terms of homelessness, it is stable in Tennessee and concerning in North Carolina

Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. North Carolina

ComparisonTennesseeNorth Carolina
Political Make-upTraditionally leans RepublicanSwing state, with recent elections closely contested
Local PoliticsConservative in rural areas; liberal in cities like Nashville and MemphisMixed; conservative rural areas but liberal in cities such as Charlotte and Raleigh
ReligionStrongly Evangelical ChristianReligiously diverse, with large Christian population but increasing non-Christian communities
  • Tennessee tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
  • North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with recent elections closely contested
  • North Carolina's religious environment can be described as religiously diverse with a large Christian population but increasing non-Christian communities
  • Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as strongly Evangelical Christian

Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to North Carolina

ComparisonTennesseeNorth Carolina
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Tennessee State University
University of North Carolina
Duke University
North Carolina State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLipscomb Academy (Nashville)
Snowden School (Memphis)
Percy Priest Elementary (Nashville)
Endhaven Elementary (Charlotte)
Providence Spring Elementary (Charlotte)
Morrisville Elementary (Morrisville)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsMeigs Academic Magnet School (Nashville)
Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood)
West End Middle School (Nashville)
Ligon Middle School (Raleigh)
Smith Middle School (Chapel Hill)
Jay M. Robinson Middle School (Charlotte)
Top 3 High School SchoolsHume-Fogg Academic Magnet School (Nashville)
Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro)
Ravenwood High School (Brentwood)
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham)
Early College at Guilford (Greensboro)
Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh)
Top 3 private high schoolsBaylor School (Chattanooga)
McCallie School (Chattanooga)
Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville)
Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte)
Durham Academy (Durham)
Cary Academy (Cary)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsFranklin Road Academy (Nashville)
University School of Nashville (Nashville)
Knoxville Catholic High School (Knoxville)
Charlotte Latin School (Charlotte)
Ravenscroft School (Raleigh)
Greensboro Day School (Greensboro)
Top 3 School DistrictsWilliamson County Schools
Maryville City Schools
Oak Ridge City Schools
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Union County Public Schools
Wake County Public School System

How Much Do Tennessee to North Carolina Movers Cost?

Moving 554 miles from Tennessee to North Carolina 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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,517300 ft3$5.06
1 Bedroom$2,252450 ft3$5.01
2 Bedrooms$3,716750 ft3$4.96
3 Bedrooms$5,3961100 ft3$4.91
4 Bedrooms$7,7681600 ft3$4.86
5+ Bedrooms$8,6491800 ft3$4.81

Top Tennessee to North Carolina Movers

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

TOP PICK
Just Move It, LLC featured image

Just Move It, LLC

Best moving company overall for Tennessee to North Carolina

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Illuminated Moving & Packing featured image

Illuminated Moving & Packing

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Alpha Moving & Storage LLC featured image

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details