Tennessee to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 814 mile interstate move from Tennessee to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs milder summers), food & health (like Memphis BBQ vs Philly Cheesesteak), real estate & housing (traditional ranch vs colonial revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Memphis BBQ and Hot Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Philly Cheesesteak & Pork and Sauerkraut
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 18% less expensive than they are in Tennessee
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 11.73% more affordable than in Tennessee
- Moving from Tennessee to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Tennessee to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Top Tennessee to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Tennessee to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Tennessee to Pennsylvania

Keystone Moving & Junk Removal, LLC

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC
Tennessee to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to Pennsylvania
- Hot summers
- High pollen count
- Limited public transit
- Tornadoes
- Milder summers
- Less pollen
- Better public transit
- Fewer natural disasters
- Higher cost of living
- Less community warmth
- Colder winters
- Differing music scene
- Low cost of living
- Southern hospitality
- Mild winters
- Rich country music scene
Pros of moving from Tennessee to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to milder summers
- Look forward to moving away from high pollen count and moving to Pennsylvania with less pollen
- Swap the limited public transit of Tennessee for better public transit in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for fewer natural disasters in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Tennessee to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Tennessee to live with the higher cost of living in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of southern hospitality and have to settle with the con of less community warmth
- Time to bid farewell to mild winters and get used to colder winters in Pennsylvania
- Swap the rich country music scene for a differing music scene
Tennessee vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Tennessee | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Memphis BBQ | Philly Cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Hot Chicken | Pork and Sauerkraut |
Most popular street food item | Gourmet Corn Dogs | Pretzels |
Most popular vegan food | Jacked-Up Tofu | Mushroom Cheesesteak |
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 Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Memphis BBQ of Tennessee for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful Hot Chicken and sumptuous Gourmet Corn Dogs, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pork and Sauerkraut and Pretzels to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jacked-Up Tofu they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Mushroom Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tennessee eateries like The Peabody, Loveless Cafe, and Prince's Hot Chicken Shack. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Pat's King of Steaks, and Zahav.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Tennessee. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania compared to what you are used to in Tennessee. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Tennessee | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Traditional Ranch | Colonial Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, scenic views | Historic details, proximity to amenities |
- The Traditional Ranch architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and scenic views, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Pennsylvania is more walkable than Tennessee.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Pennsylvania is more bike-friendly than Tennessee.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Tennessee.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 18% less expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Tennesseeβs $317,482.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 43% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 11.73% more affordable than in Tennessee.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Tennessee and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Tennessee | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89Β°F / 67Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 30Β°F | 39Β°F / 23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 54 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 38 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Tennessee to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 14% fewer sunshine days than Tennessee.
- Pennsylvania has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Tennessee.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Tennessee, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and floods in Pennsylvania.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is 4 degrees colder than in Tennessee.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees colder than they are in Tennessee.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 12 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Tennessee | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,254 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 88.9 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 0 | 3.07 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.64 | 1.58 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.5 | 6.34 |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Moderate | Lower |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 10% more than those in Tennessee
- The COLI in Pennsylvania will be 12% higher than what you are used to living in Tennessee
- Bummer... By moving from TN to PA, you'll now have a state income tax of 3.07
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is higher compared to moderate affluence in Tennessee
- The poverty level is lower in Pennsylvania compared to moderate poverty in Tennessee
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Tennessee and moderate in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Tennessee | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative/Republican | Moderate, leaning Democratic |
Local Politics | Local governance tends to be conservative, with strong Republican support in rural areas. | Local politics are mixed, with Democratic strongholds in urban areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and Republican influence in rural regions. |
Religion | Christian, with a significant Evangelical presence | Christian, mixed denominations with a notable Catholic population in urban areas |
- Tennessee tends to lean Conservative/Republican in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as moderate, leaning Democratic
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as Christian with mixed denominations and a notable Catholic population in urban areas
- Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian with a significant Evangelical presence
Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Tennessee | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Tennessee Vanderbilt University Middle Tennessee State University | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University University of Pittsburgh |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Lockeland Elementary School (Nashville) Discovery School (Murfreesboro) Intrepid College Prep (Antioch) | Adlai Stevenson School (Pittsburgh) Infinity Charter School (Harrisburg) Masterman School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood) Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School (Nashville) Merrol Hyde Magnet School (Hendersonville) | Masterman School (Philadelphia) Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 High Schools | Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School (Nashville) Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro) Merrol Hyde Magnet School (Hendersonville) | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Conestoga High School (Berwyn) Central High School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 private high schools | Baylor School (Chattanooga) McCallie School (Chattanooga) Harpeth Hall School (Nashville) | The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) The Haverford School (Haverford) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Franklin Road Academy (Nashville) Baylor School (Chattanooga) Webb School of Knoxville (Knoxville) | Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 School Districts | Williamson County Schools Maryville City Schools Franklin Special School District | Tredyffrin/Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District |
How Much Do Tennessee to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 814 miles from Tennessee to Pennsylvania 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 | $1,664 | 300 ft3 | $5.55 |
1 Bedroom | $2,473 | 450 ft3 | $5.50 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,085 | 750 ft3 | $5.45 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,936 | 1100 ft3 | $5.40 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,554 | 1600 ft3 | $5.35 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,534 | 1800 ft3 | $5.30 |