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Moving from Ohio to Tennessee:
Housing Cost Guide

How your housing costs change when you relocate. Based on 2026 data with 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed.

Monthly Housing Cost Change
+$720/mo

Your housing costs will increase by approximately $720 per month ($8,640/year) when you move from Ohio to Tennessee.

Side-by-Side Comparison

OhioTennesseeChange
Median Home Price$215,000$340,000+$125K
Property Tax Rate1.56%0.56%-1.00%
Monthly Tax (on median)$280$159$-121
Insurance/yr$1,400$2,400+$1,000
Closing Costs$3K$5K+$2K
Transfer Tax0.4%0.37%-0.03%
Est. Monthly PITI$1,700/mo$2,420/mo+$720/mo

What Your Ohio Equity Buys in Tennessee

If you sell your median-priced Ohio home ($215K) and buy in Tennessee ($340K):

Equity from sale (est. 30% after typical ownership)$65K
Down payment on Tennessee home (20%)$68K
Remaining equity after down payment$0

Your Ohio equity falls $4K short of a 20% down payment in Tennessee. You may need additional savings or could consider a lower down payment with PMI.

Monthly Budget Impact

Ohio PITI
$1,700/mo
Tennessee PITI
$2,420/mo
Monthly increase$720/mo
Annual increase$8,640/yr
10-year cost$86K

Over 10 years, this move costs you approximately $86K in housing costs alone.

Key Differences to Know

Housing costs more in Tennessee. The median home is 37% higher than in Ohio — a $125K jump. You may need to adjust your expectations on square footage or location, or come with a larger down payment to keep your monthly costs manageable.

Good news on taxes: Tennessee's 0.56% property tax rate is significantly lower than Ohio's 1.56%. You'll save approximately $1,450 per year on property taxes, which adds up to $15K over a decade.

Insurance will cost you more in Tennessee — $2,400/year compared to $1,400/year in Ohio. That's an extra $1,000 annually ($83/month). Shop multiple carriers to find the best rate.

When you buy in Tennessee, expect about $5K in closing costs (1.5% of purchase price). This includes a 0.37% transfer tax. Budget for this amount on top of your down payment.

Down Payment Assistance in Tennessee

Tennessee's THDA Great Choice Home Loan offers Up to $25,000 DPA. If you haven't owned a home in three years (or are buying in Tennessee for the first time), you may qualify. Check eligibility requirements and income limits on Tennessee's housing finance agency website.

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