Tennessee is one of the nation’s most affordable states. The population is likely to grow significantly over the next several years, and residents enjoy some of the nation’s lowest housing costs. If you’re one of the many people looking for a Tennessee moving company, we recommend International Van Lines. It’s our top overall pick for a long-distance mover. We also have other options if you need local movers or cheap movers anywhere from Greater Nashville to Johnson City.
Are you moving to Nashville, TN?
Right Move Moving Company is our pick for the best local movers in Nashville. These Tennessean movers load and drive your moving truck and receive a 4.9-star rating from customers.
Compare Tennessee moving companies
Moving company | Move type | Move.org rating | Cost | Learn more |
| Full-service (long distance) | 
| $$$$ | Get a Quote Get a Quote | |
| Full-service (local) | 
| $$$ | Get a Quote Get a Quote | |
| Moving container | 
| $$$ | Get a Quote Get a Quote | |
| East Coast moves | 
| $$$ | Get a Quote Get a Quote | |
| Hourly labor | 
| $$ | Get a Quote Get a Quote |
Best Movers in Tennessee
International Van Lines—Best long-distance moving company
International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving company. It can move you anywhere in the country and is upfront about its prices (most moving companies aren’t). IVL also offers substantial discounts if you’re a senior or need to ship a car. Plus, the moving company provides 30 days of free storage to provide a buffer when moving into your new home. On the downside, it has below-average customer reviews and annoying website pop-up ads.
Pros
Transparent pricing
Local and long-distance moving
15% car shipping discount
15% senior discount
30 days of free storage 
Cons
Below-average customer reviews
Annoying pop-up ads First National Van Lines—Best local moving company
First National Van Lines is our pick for the best local moving company. While most moving brokers focus on helping you move between states, FNVL’s expertise enables you to move within the same state. It has a network of movers in nearly all US cities and receives above-average customer reviews. First National Van Lines can also give you a quote virtually or in person and provides attractive storage options. For example, it offers all customers a free month of storage and a remote video stream of their storage space. On the downside, FNVL’s website isn’t always up-to-date.
Pros
Services most U.S. cities
Excellent customer reviews
In-home and virtual quotes
30 days of free storage
Remote video storage Cons
Out-of-date website PODS—Best moving container company
PODS is one of your best moving options. Think of the company’s containers as storage units that you can hang onto until you've set a date with a driver to pick up and hook onto the back of a specialized truck. A PODS truck drops off a moving container at your home. Once you load it, PODS picks the container up and transports it to your new home, where you unload it. The container company has top-notch customer reviews, excellent storage options, and nationwide availability. And despite confusing invoices, PODS has some of the lowest rates for moving containers in the United States. In some cases, it's even more convenient and cheaper than rental trucks.
Pros
Low prices
Multiple container sizes
Lots of storage options
Positive customer reviews
46-state availability Cons
Confusing prices Solomon & Sons Relocation—Best for East Coast moves
Bottom line: Solomon & Sons excels in moves along the East Coast but offers nationwide and international services. Their standout sales team ensures a superior quoting experience with guaranteed pricing, whether through detailed in-home estimates in South Florida or convenient video conferencing elsewhere. Offering services in five languages, they promise no hidden fees and transparent pricing. You can also get an instant online quote, which makes planning your move fast and easy.
Discover everything Solomon & Sons offers in our full review.
Pros
Guaranteed pricing
Instant online quotes
$100 discount for moving + car shipping Cons
Extra 15% deposit required outside of Florida HireAHelper—Best hourly moving labor company
HireAHelper is an excellent solution if you need help with only a few parts of the moving process. The company’s professional contractors can help you with everything from packing and loading to furniture assembly and junk removal. It’s also easy to find, with nearly 5,000 locations in all 50 states. Plus, HireAHelper movers get excellent customer reviews. Just be aware that you must hire your workers for at least two hours. It’s not cheap compared to other hourly moving labor companies, but customer reviews suggest the premium price is worth it.
Pros
Professional contractors
Packing and loading services
4,750+ locations
50-state availability
Positive customer reviews Cons
High prices
Two-hour minimum Move.org's top pick
International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving service. It has a vast network of cross-country movers, provides one month of free storage, and offers military and senior discounts. Want to move with Move.org's #1 pick?
What type of moving company is right for you?
Professional movers
They handle it all.
Professional movers load your stuff, ship it to your new home, and unload it all for you. It’s the easiest—but most expensive—option. Learn more.
Containers
You load, they ship.
You load up all your belongings, but the movers transport your container to your new home. It’s the middle road for effort and cost. Learn more.
Moving truck rentals
You do all the work.
Worried about costs? Rent a truck, load it yourself, drive it to your new home, and unload all your things. You do it all—and save a lot. Learn more.
What to know about moving in Tennessee
Population
Tennessee's population of approximately seven million1 is likely to grow by around 2% over the next several years.2 The state’s largest ethnic groups are Whites, African Americans, and Latinos, and the median age is 39.3 Roughly 90% of the population received a high school diploma, while nearly 30% have college degrees. The average household has approximately 2.5 people.1
Employment
Tennessee's median household income is roughly $54,830. More than 60% of the population participates in the labor force,1 and the state added about 115,000 payroll jobs last year.4 The most popular Tennessee industries are restaurants, elementary and secondary schools, and construction. Conversely, the highest-paying non-medical occupations include software publishing, financial investments, and air transportation. The state’s wealthiest counties are Williamson County, Wilson County, and Sumner County, while the lowest-paying areas include Clay County, Jackson County, and Overton County.3
Cost of living
Tennessee is one of the country’s ten most affordable states.5 The median property value is around $178,000 and ranks below most of the United States. As a result, the Volunteer State has a home ownership rating higher than most other states.3 Tennessee utility bills are also well below average, with the typical resident paying roughly $410 monthly for water, electricity, gas, and broadband internet.
Politics
Tennessee is a red state. Roughly 50% of the population identifies as Republican compared to only 36% who lean Democratic.6 An even higher number (61%) of Tennesseeans voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 election, while only 38% gave their support to Joe Biden. The state’s congressional representatives are similarly partisan. For example, Tennessee senators and seven of its nine representatives in the House belong to the GOP. Tennessee’s most Republican counties include Scott County, Wayne County, and Hancock County, while the bluest regions are Shelby County, Davidson County, and Haywood County.3
Best Tennessee movers FAQ
What is the best moving company in Tennessee?
International Van Lines is the best moving service in Tennessee. The long-distance mover provides personal moving day support, high-quality packing services, and virtual moving quotes.
When is the best time to move in Nashville?
The best time to move in Nashville is anytime other than the spring and summer months when moving demand is highest. You can often get better deals from motivated movers by waiting until the moving demand is lower.
Who are the best North Carolina-to-Tennessee movers?
PODS and International Van Lines are two of the best interstate moving companies from North Carolina to Tennessee. A PODS moving container is more affordable, while IVL professional movers do more of the hard work.
What is the cost to move in Tennessee?
The cost to move in Tennessee depends on what type of moving service you hire. For example, professional moving services can cost over $10,000 for large, cross-country moves. On the other hand, cheap rental truck companies only charge around $1,000 for an average move.
What services do Nashville Master Movers provide?
Nashville Master Movers provides comprehensive residential moving services, including packing services and moving supplies. While it doesn’t make our list of the best Nashville movers, the company scores a solid 4.5-star rating on Google Reviews.
One of the moving industry’s hidden gems
JK Moving is an excellent up-and-coming moving service for a residential move. The company has excellent customer service and charges a deposit of only $250.
Methodology
We conducted intensive research to identify the best moving companies for long-distance moves and local moves, in addition to container moves, truck rentals, and hourly moving labor. During our searches, we:
- Compare pricing transparency. We gather quotes, check for binding estimates, and read customer reviews about pricing to ensure each moving company’s prices are trustworthy.
- Review accreditation. We check every company’s records in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database to confirm companies are properly authorized to transport household goods.
- Go mystery shopping. We review every company’s website, pose as customers in calls to companies, and read customer reviews to analyze every company’s moving services, transit protection, and customer service. We also interview actual customers to learn how their moves went from start to finish.
- Perform site visits. We invite moving companies to our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, to share data and expertise. We verify the information they provide by comparing it to data gathered through independent research and interviews with other movers.
- Set up regular reviews. We routinely repeat this process to update our recommendations to reflect current data and trends. We also revise each review annually and make updates throughout the year.
Recommended resources
People also asked . . .
Sources
- United States Census Bureau. “Quick Facts: Tennessee,” Accessed October 13, 2022.
- Tennessee Department of Health. “Population Projections: 2022–2026,” Accessed October 13, 2022.
- Deloitte. “Data USA: Tennessee,” Accessed October 13, 2022.
- United States Congress Joint Economic Committee, September 16, 2022. “Tennessee Employment Report,” Accessed October 13, 2022.
- Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. “Cost of Living Data Series,” Accessed October 13, 2022.
- Pew Research Center. “Religious Landscape Study: Party Affiliation among Adults in Tennessee,” Accessed October 13, 2022.
