Moving from Houston, TX to Nashville, TN

Count down from Houston to your new life in Music City 

Living in Houston, the fourth-largest city in America, means having access to almost anything you want. But if you’re planning a move 780 miles northeast to Nashville, you aren’t alone. This vibrant, growing city of more than 700,000 people has become a hotspot for musicians, celebrities, social media influencers, young creatives, and families.  

Find out what to expect when relocating from Houston to Nashville. Then, learn about a unique long-distance moving option that’s easy and won’t wreck your budget. 

Be prepared to spend a little more 

Nashville’s cost of living outpaces Houston by about 25 percent thanks to Nashville’s strong economy and diverse job market. The average home value in Nashville is $421,000 compared to $244 in Houston, while Nashville’s average rent ($1,700) is nearly $500 more. Neither Tennessee nor Texas has a state income tax, but Nashville has a lower unemployment rate. 

Houston and Nashville share similar climates 

Houston and Nashville both get hot, humid summers, although Nashville is about 5 degrees cooler on average in the summer. One thing to watch out for in Nashville is dicey spring weather conditions like severe thunderstorms, flash floods and high winds. Both cities also have mild winters, although Nashville will occasionally drop below freezing compared to Houston, which typically doesn’t dip below the high-40s in December in January. 

A reliable vehicle makes getting around easier 

Houston is big and sprawling, with many people living in nearby suburbs like Katy, The Woodlands, Sugar Land and Pearland. That leads to a slightly above-national average commute of 30 minutes. Nashville is also a growing, car-dependent area with many suburban residents commuting daily (for an average of 28 minutes), but Music City is more walkable and bike-friendly than Houston. 

Regarding public transit, the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority operates WeGo, a public bus system with routes in Nashville and some surrounding suburbs. A small commuter rail service also connects Nashville and Lebanon, TN. 

What connects H-Town and Music City? 

Houston and Nashville are home to a combined 24 colleges and universities, which helps explain why a quarter of each city’s population is under the age of 20. Many corporations and entrepreneur-driven businesses gravitate to both cities — and Nashville in particular because of its central location and Tennessee’s tax incentives. 

Nashville’s top industries include health care, education, automotive manufacturing, tourism and music. Amazon and Nissan North America are two of the area’s largest employers. 

Exploring your new city 

It’s no secret that Nashville, the home of iconic venues like the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium, is deeply rooted in music. But the city is rich with many other cultural gems. Here are a few worth checking out: 

  • United Record Pressing 
  • Hatch Show Print 
  • The Parthenon 
  • Old Tennessee State Prison 
  • Timothy Demonbreun’s Cave 
  • Downtown Presbyterian Church 
  • Peace Sign Geoglyph 

Did you know: Nashville has been called “The Athens of the South” in part because of the city’s dedication to higher education but also because of its Greek Revival-styled State Capitol and the Tennessee Centennial Exposition of 1897, which unveiled Nashville’s Parthenon building. 

Start your life in Nashville on a high note with U-Pack. 

If full-service moving doesn’t fit your budget and you’re not keen on driving a big rental truck, U-Pack® could be the solution you need. You load your stuff into our equipment, and we drive it to your new home in less than a week! It’s affordable and efficient — and with service centers nationwide, it’s easy to find one near you. Get a free, no-obligation quote today.