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Tennessee to Virginia Moving Guide

Updated June 12, 2025

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Planning a 554 mile interstate move from Tennessee to Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme heat vs mild summers), food & health (like Memphis BBQ vs Virginia Ham), real estate & housing (victorian, farmhouse vs colonial, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Memphis BBQ and Hot Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Virginia Ham & Smithfield Ham
  • Virginia housing costs are 22% more expensive than they are in Tennessee
  • Rent in Virginia is 8.87% more expensive than in Tennessee
  • Moving from Tennessee to Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Tennessee to Virginia movers is ARS Movers

Tennessee to Virginia Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to Virginia

ConsTennessee iconTennessee
  • Extreme heat
  • High humidity
  • Limited public transit
  • Urban sprawl
  • Allergies to pollen
ProsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Mild summers
  • Less humidity
  • Robust transit system
  • Historic charm
  • Fewer allergens

Virginia iconVirginia
  • Higher expenses
  • Reserved neighbors
  • State income tax
  • Less vibrant arts
  • Congested areas
Tennessee iconTennessee
  • Low cost of living
  • Friendly locals
  • No state income tax
  • Music scene
  • Wide-open spaces

Pros of moving from Tennessee to Virginia

  • Say goodbye to extreme heat and hello to mild summers
  • Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to Virginia with less humidity
  • Swap the limited public transit of Tennessee for a robust transit system in Virginia
  • Get ready for historic charm in Virginia

Cons of moving from Tennessee to Virginia

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Tennessee to live with higher expenses in Virginia
  • You'll lose out on the pro of friendly locals and have to settle for the con of reserved neighbors
  • Time to bid farewell to no state income tax and get used to state income tax in Virginia
  • Swap the music scene for a less vibrant arts scene

Tennessee vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonTennesseeVirginia
Most iconic local food itemMemphis BBQVirginia Ham
Most popular meat dishHot ChickenSmithfield Ham
Most popular street food itemBBQ NachosOyster Po' Boy
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitChickpea Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Rendezvous
  • Hattie B's Hot Chicken
  • Loveless Cafe
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Tennessee to Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Memphis BBQ of Tennessee for the equally delicious Virginia Ham of Virginia. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful Hot Chicken and sumptuous BBQ Nachos, Virginia residents know they have tasty Smithfield Ham and Oyster Po' Boy 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 Chickpea Salad of Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tennessee eateries like The Rendezvous, Hattie B's Hot Chicken, and Loveless Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to Virginia's acclaimed eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, L'Auberge Chez FranΓ§ois, and Bookbinder's Seafood and Steakhouse.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and Virginia

ComparisonTennesseeVirginia
Typical Architecture StyleVictorian, FarmhouseColonial, Craftsman
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 backyards, Proximity to natureEnergy efficiency, Historical features
  • The Victorian and Farmhouse architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Virginia.
  • Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference large backyards and proximity to nature, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and historical aspects.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Virginia is more walkable than Tennessee.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Virginia is more bike-friendly than Tennessee.
  • Virginia has more of an urban feel than Tennessee.
  • Virginia housing costs are 22% more expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $385,780 compared to Tennessee’s $317,482.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased 42% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
  • Rent in Virginia is 8.87% more expensive than in Tennessee.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Tennessee and Virginia

ComparisonTennesseeVirginia
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 DisastersTornados, FloodsHurricanes, Winter storms
Air QualityModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)88/6785/64
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)49/3047/27
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5444
Annual Snowfall (Inches)510-20
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Tennessee to Virginia. Virginia gets 1% fewer sunshine days than Tennessee.
  • Virginia 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 hurricanes and winter storms in Virginia.
  • The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 3 degrees colder than in Tennessee.
  • The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in Tennessee.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Virginia. Virginia receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and Virginia

ComparisonTennesseeVirginia
Avg. Household Income$65,254$85,873
Cost of Living Index88.996.6
State Income Tax05.75
Avg. Property Tax0.640.80
Avg. Sales Tax9.555.3
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, HealthcareTechnology, Government, Education
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 32% more than those in Tennessee
  • The COLI in Virginia will be 9% higher than what you are used to living in Tennessee
  • Bummer... By moving from TN to VA, you'll now have a state income tax of 5.75
  • The affluence in Virginia is high compared to moderate affluence in Tennessee
  • The poverty level is low in Virginia compared to moderate poverty in Tennessee
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Tennessee and low in Virginia

Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. Virginia

ComparisonTennesseeVirginia
Political Make-upTraditionally RepublicanSways between Republican and Democratic
Local PoliticsConservative in rural areas, more liberal in cities like NashvilleLiberal in Northern Virginia, conservative in rural areas
ReligionStrong evangelical Christian presenceDiverse religious landscape with significant Christian and Muslim communities
  • Tennessee tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
  • Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as swaying between Republican and Democratic
  • Virginia's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape with significant Christian and Muslim communities
  • Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a strong evangelical Christian presence

Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to Virginia

ComparisonTennesseeVirginia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
University of Memphis
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
William & Mary
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLakeland Elementary School (Lakeland)
John P. Freeman Optional School (Memphis)
Discovery School (Murfreesboro)
Arlington Science Focus School (Arlington)
Stenwood Elementary School (Vienna)
Lucketts Elementary School (Leesburg)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBrentwood Middle School (Brentwood)
Houston Middle School (Germantown)
Meigs Magnet School (Nashville)
Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church)
Henry David Thoreau Middle School (Vienna)
George H. Moody Middle School (Henrico)
Top 3 High School SchoolsCentral Magnet School (Murfreesboro)
Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet School (Nashville)
Brentwood High School (Brentwood)
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria)
McLean High School (McLean)
Langley High School (McLean)
Top 3 private high schoolsBaylor School (Chattanooga)
Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville)
Harpeth Hall School (Nashville)
The Madeira School (McLean)
St. Christopher’s School (Richmond)
Episcopal High School (Alexandria)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsBaylor School (Chattanooga)
Webb School of Knoxville (Knoxville)
University School of Nashville (Nashville)
Norfolk Academy (Norfolk)
The Potomac School (McLean)
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School (Alexandria)
Top 3 School DistrictsWilliamson County Schools
Germantown Municipal School District
Maryville City Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Arlington Public Schools

How Much Do Tennessee to Virginia Movers Cost?

Moving 554 miles from Tennessee to Virginia 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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/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 Virginia Movers

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

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Tennessee to Virginia

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Alpha Moving & Storage LLC featured image

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details