Tennessee has ranked among the top four states for net domestic migration every year since 2020. Between July 2024 and July 2025, the state added 42,389 net domestic migrants – fourth highest nationally – bringing total population to 7.3 million. Primary source states are Illinois (roughly 21% of newcomers), California (19%), and Florida (8%), drawn by no state income tax on wages and a median home price around $336,000.
The state’s three major metros sit at the corners of a geographically large state, separated by long interstate hauls: Nashville-to-Memphis is 210 miles on I-40, Nashville-to-Knoxville is 180 miles, and Nashville-to-Chattanooga is 135 miles on I-24. This means many in-state long-distance moves exceed 150 miles and are priced by weight rather than hourly rate – a distinction that catches many movers off guard.
Intrastate movers must obtain Intrastate Authority from the Tennessee Department of Revenue (TDOR) Motor Carrier division, including a valid USDOT number, proof of liability and cargo insurance (Forms E and H), and a Designated Agent for Service of Process. TDOR issues an Intrastate Permit Card for each registered vehicle. Movers must provide written estimates and cannot charge more than 10% above the estimate without written agreement; damage claims must be acknowledged within 30 days and resolved within 120 days. Complaints can be filed with the Tennessee Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
Peak season runs May through September. Tennessee averages only about five inches of snow annually, but summer heat in Memphis and Nashville regularly exceeds 95 degrees. Local moves average around $124 per hour, with total costs typically ranging from $443 to $4,074 depending on home size and distance.
Top-Rated Movers in Tennessee
True Friends Moving Company
Address: 700 E Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37115
Website: https://www.truefriendsmovingcompany.com
USDOT: #2629977
True Friends has operated in Nashville since 2012 as a family-owned, full-service company covering local, long-distance, and interstate moves throughout Tennessee and into the Southeast. Services include packing and unpacking, piano moving, pool table moving, senior living moves, corporate and employee relocation, apartment and condo moves, and storage. The company holds an A+ BBB rating, claims more 5-star Yelp ratings than any other mover in the Nashville region, and has received the Nashville Scene “Best of Nashville” award. Service area extends to Murfreesboro, Franklin, Clarksville, Lebanon, and surrounding Middle Tennessee communities, with long-distance capability for out-of-state moves including Tampa, FL.
The Armstrong Company – Nashville
Address: 100 Armstrong Court, LaVergne, TN 37086
Website: https://www.goarmstrong.com/locations/nashville/
USDOT: #1463768
Armstrong is a United Van Lines agent with four Tennessee locations – Nashville (LaVergne), Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga – making it one of the few movers with genuine statewide reach within Tennessee. Founded in 1957 as a small Memphis operation, the company has grown to a national network covering 33 markets. Nashville services include local and long-distance residential moves, corporate and employee relocation, senior relocation with decluttering and estate management, commercial office and laboratory moves, supply chain and warehousing solutions, and international moves. The Nashville office serves Belle Meade, Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and surrounding areas, with cross-state capability through the United Van Lines network.
Big League Movers
Address: 4660 Distriplex Drive West, Memphis, TN 38118
Website: https://bigleaguemovers.com
Big League Movers is a locally owned and operated Memphis company with 15-plus years in business, holding a 4.9-star rating from over 3,400 verified reviews and Angi ratings from more than 2,100 customers. The company is fully licensed, bonded, and insured (License #2196756, MC #762341) and has never canceled a scheduled move in its history. Services include local and long-distance residential moves, commercial moves, packing services, senior moves, piano moving, moving labor help, and storage. The service area covers Greater Memphis and surrounding communities in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, including Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Cordova, Hernando MS, Southaven MS, and West Memphis AR.
Moving Companies in Tennessee: Common Questions
Is my moving company required to be licensed in Tennessee?
Yes, movers operating within Tennessee must obtain Intrastate Authority from the Tennessee Department of Revenue (TDOR) before conducting for-hire moves. This requires a valid USDOT number, proof of liability and cargo insurance, and a state-issued Intrastate Permit Card for each vehicle. To verify a mover’s legitimacy, ask to see the Permit Card before signing any contract, and cross-reference the USDOT number using the FMCSA lookup tool at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. All interstate moves are separately regulated by the FMCSA regardless of state requirements.
How much does a local move typically cost in Tennessee?
According to moving industry data compiled for Tennessee, the average hourly rate for professional movers in the state is approximately $124 per hour, which is below the national average of around $137. Total costs for a local move generally range from $443 for a studio apartment to $4,074 for a larger home, depending on home size, number of movers, and distance traveled. Nashville-area rates have been cited at around $80 per hour per mover for standard local moves.
How does Tennessee’s geography affect moving costs and timing?
Unlike smaller eastern states, Tennessee spans roughly 440 miles from Memphis in the west to the Appalachian foothills in the east. Moves between major metros – Nashville to Memphis, Nashville to Knoxville, Knoxville to Chattanooga – exceed 130 to 210 miles and are typically priced by weight rather than hourly, similar to interstate moves. Residents should ask movers whether a planned route qualifies as a local or long-distance job, since the pricing structure changes significantly at most companies’ distance thresholds.
How do I verify a Tennessee mover is legitimate and avoid rogue movers?
Before booking, ask the company for its USDOT number and its Tennessee Intrastate Permit Card number, then verify both through FMCSA’s SAFER database at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Legitimate movers must provide a written estimate before the move and cannot charge more than 10% above that estimate without your written agreement. Red flags include movers who demand large cash deposits upfront, refuse to provide a written estimate, or cannot produce a USDOT number. If a dispute arises after an intrastate move, complaints can be filed with the Tennessee Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
When should I avoid scheduling a move in Tennessee, and what is peak season?
Peak season runs from late May through early August, with June and July seeing the highest demand, tightest availability, and highest prices. This surge reflects both the national summer moving pattern and Tennessee’s strong inbound migration trend, which puts consistent pressure on mover capacity in Nashville and its fast-growing suburbs such as Clarksville and Murfreesboro. Moving midweek and outside of peak summer months typically yields better availability and lower hourly rates from most Tennessee companies.