Tennessee to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

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
- Higher state taxes
- Limited coastline
- Fewer job sectors
- More moderate climate
- Atlantic Ocean access
- Thriving job market
- State income tax
- Higher living costs
- Less iconic music scene
- 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
Comparison | Tennessee | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Memphis BBQ | Pulled pork |
Most popular meat dish | Hot chicken | Eastern-style BBQ |
Most popular street food item | BBQ Nachos | Carolina-style hot dogs |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | BBQ Tofu |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 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
Comparison | Tennessee | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Traditional, Colonial | Craftsman, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to natural attractions | Energy 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 Tennesseeβs $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
Comparison | Tennessee | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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 | Storms, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Storms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/69 | 88/67 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49/30 | 50/31 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 54 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 6 |
- 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
Comparison | Tennessee | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,254 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 88.9 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 5.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.74% | 0.85% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.5% | 6.98% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Transportation, Manufacturing | Technology, Biotechnology, Finance |
Affluence | Moderate | Growing |
Poverty | Averaged | Decreasing |
Homelessness | Stable | Concerning |
- 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
Comparison | Tennessee | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans Republican | Swing state, with recent elections closely contested |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas; liberal in cities like Nashville and Memphis | Mixed; conservative rural areas but liberal in cities such as Charlotte and Raleigh |
Religion | Strongly Evangelical Christian | Religiously 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
Comparison | Tennessee | North 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 Schools | Lipscomb Academy (Nashville) Snowden School (Memphis) Percy Priest Elementary (Nashville) | Endhaven Elementary (Charlotte) Providence Spring Elementary (Charlotte) Morrisville Elementary (Morrisville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Meigs 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 Schools | Hume-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 schools | Baylor 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 schools | Franklin 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 Districts | Williamson 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,517 | 300 ft3 | $5.06 |
1 Bedroom | $2,252 | 450 ft3 | $5.01 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,716 | 750 ft3 | $4.96 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,396 | 1100 ft3 | $4.91 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,768 | 1600 ft3 | $4.86 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,649 | 1800 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.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for Tennessee to North Carolina