Tennessee to Oregon Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a 2,251 mile interstate move from Tennessee to Oregon? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs Oregon across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs mild, temperate climate), food & health (like Barbecue Ribs vs Marionberry Pie), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oregon), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Barbecue Ribs and Hot Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Marionberry Pie & Dungeness Crab
- Oregon housing costs are 57% more expensive than they are in Tennessee
- Rent in Oregon is 5.02% more expensive than in Tennessee
- Moving from Tennessee to Oregon will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Tennessee to Oregon movers is Pacific Northwest Moving

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

Pacific Northwest Moving
Best moving company overall for Tennessee to Oregon

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

Elite Relocation Services
Tennessee to Oregon Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to Oregon
- Hot, humid summers
- Limited public transit
- Lower cultural diversity
- Few tech job prospects
- Mild, temperate climate
- Extensive transit options
- Rich cultural scene
- Thriving tech industry
- Higher expenses
- Less friendly locals
- Less music variety
- Fewer historic landmarks
- Lower cost of living
- Southern hospitality
- Famous music scenes
- Historic sites
Pros of moving from Tennessee to Oregon
- Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to a mild, temperate climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to Oregon with extensive transit options
- Swap the lower cultural diversity of Tennessee for a rich cultural scene in Oregon
- Get ready for a thriving tech industry in Oregon
Cons of moving from Tennessee to Oregon
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Tennessee to live with higher expenses in Oregon
- You'll lose out on the pro of southern hospitality and have to settle for the con of less friendly locals
- Time to bid farewell to famous music scenes and get used to less music variety in Oregon
- Swap historic sites for fewer historic landmarks
Tennessee vs. Oregon: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Tennessee | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Barbecue Ribs | Marionberry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Hot Chicken | Dungeness Crab |
Most popular street food item | Pulled Pork Sandwich | Food Cart Pods |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Vegan Ramen |
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 Oregon, you will be trading the iconic Barbecue Ribs of Tennessee for the equally delicious Marionberry Pie of Oregon. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful Hot Chicken and sumptuous Pulled Pork Sandwich, Oregon residents know they have tasty Dungeness Crab and Food Cart Pods 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 Ramen of Oregon. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tennessee eateries like The Rendezvous, Loveless Cafe, and Prince's Hot Chicken. After the boxes are unpacked in Oregon, don't wait too long before making your way to Oregon's acclaimed eateries like Pok Pok, Voodoo Doughnut, and Screen Door.
When comparing lifestyles, Oregon shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Tennessee. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oregon compared to what you are used to in Tennessee. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oregon.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and Oregon
Comparison | Tennessee | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, garages | Eco-friendly features, proximity to nature |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Oregon.
- Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garages, Oregon real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly attributes and proximity to nature.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Oregon is more walkable than Tennessee.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Oregon is more bike-friendly than Tennessee.
- Oregon has more of an urban feel than Tennessee.
- Oregon housing costs are 57% more expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $497,946 compared to Tennesseeβs $317,482.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oregon have increased by 39% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
- Rent in Oregon is 5.02% more expensive than in Tennessee.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Tennessee and Oregon
Comparison | Tennessee | Oregon |
---|---|---|
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 | Severe storms, tornadoes | Earthquakes, wildfires |
Air Quality | Good | Varies, mostly good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89Β°F / 67Β°F | 81Β°F / 55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 30Β°F | 47Β°F / 36Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 54 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 33 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Tennessee to Oregon. Oregon gets 30% fewer sunshine days than Tennessee.
- Oregon has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Tennessee.
- Say goodbye to the possible severe storms and tornadoes in Tennessee, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Oregon.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Oregon is 8 degrees colder than Tennessee.
- The average winter lows in Oregon are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Tennessee.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Oregon. Oregon receives 12 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and Oregon
Comparison | Tennessee | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,254 | $75,657 |
Cost of Living Index | 88.9 | 110.55 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 4.75% - 9.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.64% | 0.97% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.55% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Technology, Lumber, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Lower |
Homelessness | Moderate | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oregon tend to earn about 16% more than those in Tennessee
- The COLI in Oregon will be 24% higher than what you are used to living in Tennessee
- Bummer... By moving from TN to OR, you'll now have a state income tax of 4.75% - 9.9%
- The affluence in Oregon is high compared to moderate affluence in Tennessee
- The poverty level is lower in Oregon compared to moderate poverty in Tennessee
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Tennessee and high in Oregon
Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. Oregon
Comparison | Tennessee | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Generally conservative; Republican-led in most statewide and federal offices; urban cores lean Democratic while rural and exurban areas are solidly Republican. | Generally liberal; Democratic-led in most statewide and federal offices; metro areas (Portland, Eugene, Salem) are strongly Democratic, with rural regions more conservative. |
Local Politics | County commissions and city councils are influential; the state often preempts some local ordinances; priorities include economic development, infrastructure, public safety, and growth management in cities. | Strong home-rule tradition; frequent use of ballot measures; local priorities include land-use planning (urban growth boundaries), housing, climate, and transportation policy. |
Religion | Higher overall religiosity; large Evangelical Protestant presence, including many Southern Baptist congregations; church attendance above the national average. | Lower overall religiosity; high share of religiously unaffiliated residents; diverse mix of mainline Protestant, Catholic, and other faiths; many identify as spiritual but not religious. |
- Tennessee tends to lean generally conservative and is Republican-led in most statewide and federal offices; urban cores lean Democratic while rural and exurban areas are solidly Republican in its political climate
- Oregon, on the other hand, is often described as generally liberal and is Democratic-led in most statewide and federal offices; metro areas such as Portland, Eugene, and Salem are strongly Democratic, with rural regions being more conservative
- Oregon's religious environment can be described as having lower overall religiosity and a high share of religiously unaffiliated residents; it features a diverse mix of mainline Protestant, Catholic, and other faiths, with many identifying as spiritual but not religious
- Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having higher overall religiosity and a large Evangelical Protestant presence, including many Southern Baptist congregations; church attendance is above the national average
Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to Oregon
Comparison | Tennessee | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Tennessee Knoxville; Vanderbilt University Nashville; Tennessee Technological University Cookeville | University of Oregon Eugene; Oregon State University Corvallis; Portland State University Portland |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Julia Green Elementary Nashville; Bearden Elementary School Knoxville; Clovercroft Elementary Franklin | Ainsworth Elementary School Portland; Jacob Wismer Elementary Beaverton; Lewis & Clark Elementary School St. Helens |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Merrol Hyde Magnet School Hendersonville; Farragut Middle School Knoxville; Sunset Middle School Brentwood | Stoller Middle School Portland; ACCESS Academy School Portland; Roosevelt Middle School Eugene |
Top 3 High School Schools | Hume-Fogg Academic High School Nashville; Central Magnet School Murfreesboro; Ravenwood High School Brentwood | International School of Beaverton Beaverton; South Eugene High School Eugene; Lincoln High School Portland |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Nashville Nashville; Baylor School Chattanooga; McCallie School Chattanooga | Catlin Gabel School Portland; Oregon Episcopal School Portland; Jesuit High School Portland |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Montgomery Bell Academy Nashville; Ensworth School Nashville; Webb School of Knoxville Knoxville | Riverdale Grade School Portland; French American International School Portland; Oregon Episcopal School Portland |
Top 3 School Districts | Williamson County Schools Franklin; Knox County Schools Knoxville; Rutherford County Schools Murfreesboro | Lake Oswego School District Lake Oswego; Corvallis School District Corvallis; Beaverton School District Beaverton |
How Much Do Tennessee to Oregon Movers Cost?
Moving 2,251 miles from Tennessee to Oregon will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- 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 | $2,479 | 300 ft3 | $8.26 |
1 Bedroom | $3,695 | 450 ft3 | $8.21 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,122 | 750 ft3 | $8.16 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,923 | 1100 ft3 | $8.11 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,899 | 1600 ft3 | $8.06 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,422 | 1800 ft3 | $8.01 |