Best Moving Companies in Tennessee 2025

The cost of moving depends largely on distance and how many belongings you have. Local movers typically charge by the hour, averaging $80 to $100 per hour for two movers. Long-distance movers often charge a flat fee, averaging $5,000 to $10,000, for moves over 1,000 miles.

Other products and services, like packing, storage and additional insurance, add to the cost. Factors like home size, location, extra stops, specialty items and time of year can also affect pricing. Tipping movers is customary (usually 10% to 20% of the total cost). To save money, consider decluttering, moving during an offseason and asking about discounts. You can also move yourself, but this may make an already stressful relocation more difficult.

Estimates for moving services from Memphis (38103)

The figures below are based on current (as of publishing) industry estimates for a three-bedroom home with no additional services.

There are ways to simplify the process and make a move less stressful — it just takes some planning.

1. Think about how much time, energy and money the move will require

Evaluate your time frame, how much you need moved and your moving budget. Set aside extra funds for unexpected costs if you can.

2. Declutter

To save on costs, try reducing the weight and volume of your belongings. Consider donating or selling items you no longer need — your city or town may have local or national charities that offer donation pickup.

3. Get a head start on packing

Start packing seasonal or less frequently used items first. As you get closer to your move-out date, aim to pack one room per day and label boxes clearly.

» MORE: How to pack for a move

4. Have essentials ready

Pack a box or bag for each person in your household that has essentials for moving day and the day after. Include a change of clothes, toiletries and any necessary medications — you don’t want to be without these during the move, especially if you’re driving a long distance.

5. Have a plan for contacting your mover

Ensure you have a reliable contact for the moving company so you can communicate logistics, ask questions and track your move. Some companies offer tracking via an app; find out if yours has this ahead of time so you can download it and be ready for moving day. 

» MORE DETAILS: Moving checklist

ConsumerAffairs carefully collects in-depth, verified reviews to tell each customer’s experience with a company. We believe customer experiences are a crucial indicator when evaluating companies, so these reviews are a significant factor when selecting our top picks.

To choose the top moving companies in Tennessee, we started with the 80 popular providers listed in our main moving guide. First, we narrowed it down to the ones available in Tennessee. We then weighted several key features to get our final rankings:

• Storage options: We looked at the availability of storage units and any free storage periods.
• Packing services: We considered the types of packing services offered, including whether a company offers packing services and whether it offers both full and partial packing.
• Deposit requirements: We prioritized companies that ask for 20% or less down versus those with higher deposit requirements.
• Discounts: We outlined how many discounts each company offers and what types (e.g., senior, military, student).
• App: We gave a company preference if it has an app with a useful service, like requesting a quote or tracking a move.

When affordability and beautiful greenery are calling, it may be time to make Tennessee your new home. With no state income tax and a comfortable climate, many are choosing to relocate to the Volunteer State — in fact, it has the third-highest net migration in 2025. If you're ready to move to Tennessee, narrowing down the best city for your lifestyle is the first big step.

After all, what do you prioritize? From safety and health care access to economic stability, every person has different essentials, and it's important to choose your new home based on what matters most to you.

To determine the best places to live in Tennessee for 2025, our research team analyzed the state's 35 largest cities based on five key factors: affordability, safety, economic strength, health care and education, and quality of life. Read on to discover which city is best for you based on your specific criteria.

The five best places to move to in Tennessee

With the eighth-lowest cost of living nationwide and no state income tax, Tennessee is an appealing destination for anyone looking to save money and enjoy a temperate climate. Suburbs outside major hubs like Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville are especially popular, offering convenient travel, Southern hospitality, lively sports and musical heritage. If you're attracted to Tennessee’s low cost of living and vibrant culture, here are the top cities to put on your list.

1. Franklin

Founded in 1799 and named after Benjamin Franklin, this historic location balances a strong economy with affordability. Just 20 miles south of Nashville, Franklin captures the same gorgeous and walkable Victorian aesthetic, all while maintaining quiet suburban charm.

Peruse boutique shops, art galleries, Civil War sites and farm-to-table restaurants. Or, enjoy the access to trails for hiking and biking and waterways for kayaking. Overall, despite rapid growth, Franklin has maintained its small-town charm and community spirit, making it an ideal destination for families, commuters and retirees alike.

• Strong economy: Franklin has one of the state’s highest multiyear job growth rates (13.2%), a low unemployment rate (2.4%) and a poverty rate of just 4.8%.
• Well-educated population: 64% of residents 25 and older have earned at least a bachelor’s degree, the fourth-highest rate in the state.
• Decent affordability: Franklin’s median home sale price is just 3.8 times higher than the city’s median income, one of the lowest home price-to-income ratios in the state.

2. Collierville

Originally transformed by the railroad — boosting Collierville's population from a meager 500 to over 2,000 between 1857 and 1860 — this Tennessee town has continued growing ever since. Today, it boasts an excellent school system, high-quality parks and beautiful neighborhoods, all just a half hour from Memphis. Enjoy all the benefits of suburban living, the amenities of a larger city and the green spaces of a smaller town, wrapped up in one special place.

• Most affordable: Collierville offers a median home sale price only 1.9 times the local median income, and it is the most affordable among Tennessee’s largest cities.
• Strong economy: The unemployment rate (3.1%) and the share of residents below the poverty line (2.6%) are both considerably below Tennessee averages.
• Access to green spaces: About half of the city's population lives within a 10-minute walk of green space — the third-highest ranking on our list.

3. Hendersonville

Located less than 20 miles from Nashville's downtown, Hendersonville provides big-city access and small-town outdoor recreation. It's known as "The City by the Lake" for its location on Old Hickory Lake  — offering fishing, boating, camping, hiking and swimming. Residents enjoy this scenic beauty combined with suburban convenience, all steeped in a rich, historical character dating back to the late 1700s.

• Strong safety: Hendersonville has the fifth-lowest violent crime rate (1.1 crimes per 1,000 people) and the sixth-lowest property crime rate (8.93 per 1,000 people) on our list.
• Well-educated population: About 44% of residents 25 and older have a bachelor's degree — the 10th highest ranking on our list.
• Affordable housing: Housing in Hendersonville is reasonably priced, with a median rent of $1,696 and a median home sale price 4.8 times higher than the median income.

4. Brentwood

Another Nashville suburb, Brentwood stands out for its lush forests and beautiful parks, only 10 miles from downtown Nashville. Between 1968 and 2025, the population has boomed from just over 3,000 to over 45,000 residents. Despite limited affordability, it offers residents a strong sense of safety and a booming economy.

• Best-educated population: About 75% of the city’s residents 25 and older have earned at least a bachelor’s degree, the highest rate on our list and over double the state and national rates.
• Second-best health care access: Among Tennessee’s largest cities, Brentwood ranks high for health care access, with 43.9 health care professionals per 1,000 residents.
• Second-strongest economy: Brentwood's multiyear job growth rate is high (13.2%) and complemented by the second-lowest unemployment rate (2.3%) and the lowest percentage of residents below the poverty line (2.5%).
• Third-safest city: Brentwood has the lowest violent crime rate on our list (0.77 crimes per 1,000 people) and the seventh-lowest property crime rate (9.28 crimes per 1,000 people).

5. Farragut

Less than 17 miles from Knoxville, Farragut's small population of over 24,000 still has access to big-city amenities. Being located in the center of the Tennessee Valley provides the city with countless recreational activities in and around the Great Smoky Mountains. Enjoy small-town charm complete with local dining options, historical sites and beautifully safe streets.

• Great safety: Farragut has the lowest property crime rate on our list (4.57 crimes per 1,000 people) and the second-lowest violent crime rate (0.82 crimes per 1,000 people).
• Well-educated population: 65% of residents 25 and over have a bachelor's degree or higher.
• Healthy economy: The city has a low unemployment rate (2.5%) and a low share of residents living below the poverty level (2.9%).

See how the rest of Tennessee compares

The table below ranks the 35 most populous cities in Tennessee across five key categories: affordability, safety, economic strength, health care and education, and quality of life. Whether you’re moving to the state for its nature, culture or affordability, these cities offer diverse benefits. Check out our chart below to discover which city best suits your needs.

Methodology: Best cities to move to in Tennessee

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team evaluated the 35 most populous cities in the state across metrics in five weighted categories to identify the best cities to move to in Tennessee. In each category metric, the city that performed the best was given the highest possible score, with others getting relative scores. We added the category scores together to get an overall score, which is out of 100 points.

• Affordability (30 points): This category includes median rent for April 2025 (15 points) and an affordability ratio of median home price to median income (15). Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau (2023) and Zillow (2025).
• Safety (30 points): This score is based on rates of violent crime (15 points) and property crime (15) per 1,000 residents. Data is from NeighborhoodScout (2023).
• Economy (20 points): The economy score considers job growth percentage from 2020 to 2024 (10 points), unemployment rate (7) and percentage of residents below the poverty level (3). Data is from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (2020-2024) and the U.S. Census Bureau (2023).
• Health care and education (10 points): This category includes the number of health care professionals per 1,000 people (5 points) and the share of the population 25 and over that has attained a bachelor’s degree or higher (5). Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau (2023).
• Quality of life (10 points): The quality of life score considers walkability (5 points) and the percentage of the population living within a 10-minute walk of a green space (5). Data is from Walk Score (2025) and the Trust for Public Land (2025).

For questions about the data or if you'd like to set up an interview, please contact rsowell@consumeraffairs.com.

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