Moving from Tennessee to Missouri
At roughly 424 miles, moving from Tennessee to Missouri is a short interstate move — close enough that many people rent a truck and drive it themselves in a day. Here's the full checklist so nothing slips through.
Generate My ChecklistTN vs MO at a Glance
Income Tax
Sales Tax
Time Zone
Distance
Moving Cost
Professional move, 2–3 BR home. Summer +20–30%.
What This Move Means for You
New state income tax to plan for
Tennessee has no state income tax, but Missouri's top rate is about 4.7%. Factor the change into your take-home pay and monthly budget.
Before You Leave Tennessee
You have no final Tennessee income tax return to file
Tennessee does not tax wages or salaries. The Hall income tax on interest and dividends was repealed for tax periods that begin on or after January 1, 2021. Do not file a Hall return for those years.
Source: Tennessee Department of Revenue, Hall Income TaxAsk your county clerk about your Tennessee plates
Tennessee license plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle. The Department of Revenue does not say what to do with them when you move out of state. Ask your county clerk before you destroy or turn in your plates.
Source: Tennessee Department of Revenue, Surrendering a License PlateDo not expect a refund for unused registration
Generally, Tennessee does not refund the unused part of a registration. A tag cannot be refunded after its registration period starts. You may get a refund only if you return new tags before your old ones expire. The state refunds only its share. Ask the county clerk about the county share.
Source: Tennessee Department of Revenue, VR-15 Unused Portion of a Vehicle RegistrationCheck the professional privilege tax if you keep a Tennessee license
Some professionals licensed or registered to practice in Tennessee pay a $400 tax each year. This includes attorneys, lobbyists, investment advisers, broker-dealers, and securities agents. The tax is due June 1. The tax is owed by people licensed or registered to practice in Tennessee. If you keep that license after you move, check whether you still owe it.
Source: Tennessee Department of Revenue, Professional Privilege TaxAsk your county election commission to remove your registration
Tennessee registration is permanent until the county election commission removes it. Send a written request to the commission to remove your name. The commission also removes you when it gets written confirmation that you registered in another place.
Source: Tennessee Secretary of State, How to Update your Voter RegistrationAfter You Arrive in Missouri
Get a Missouri license as soon as you are a resident
Missouri gives no grace period. Apply at any Missouri license office. Surrender a valid license from another state, or one expired 184 days or less, and you skip the written and skills tests. Everyone takes the road sign recognition test and the vision test. A commercial driver license must transfer within 30 days.
Source: Missouri DOR, Driver licensing FAQTitle your car within 30 days
The 30 days start on the date you become a resident. Bring the original out-of-state title, Form 108, proof of insurance, and an ID/OD inspection. To get plates, you also need a Missouri safety inspection unless the vehicle is exempt. The safety inspection counts as the ID/OD inspection. If a lender holds the title, send it Form 5834 to request it. The title fee is $8.50 plus a $9 processing fee. For a passenger vehicle, the plate fee depends on taxable horsepower.
Source: Missouri DOR, Titling and registrationGet a statement of non-assessment from the county assessor
The license office asks for it when you first title the car. It shows that you owe no Missouri personal property tax. Get it from the assessor in your county, or the City of St. Louis. Ask the assessor to add you to the roll for next year. To renew plates later, bring a paid personal property tax receipt or a statement of non-assessment.
Source: Missouri State Tax Commission, Receipts and waiversCheck the safety and emissions inspection rules
To get plates, you need a Missouri safety inspection unless the vehicle is exempt. A vehicle is exempt for the first ten years after its model year if it has less than 150,000 miles. In St. Louis City and in Jefferson, St. Charles, and St. Louis counties, you also need an emissions inspection. Inspections must be no more than 60 days old.
Source: Missouri DOR, Titling and registrationCarry 25/50/25 liability and uninsured motorist coverage
Liability limits must be at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is required at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Source: Missouri DOR, Insurance requirementsRegister to vote by the fourth Wednesday before an election
Register online, by mail, or in person. A mailed form must be postmarked by the fourth Wednesday before the election. If you register after that, you can vote in later elections.
Source: Missouri Secretary of State, Register to voteYour Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before
At about 424 miles (~7.5 hours), this is short enough to DIY with a rental truck or a single-day mover run. Get 2–3 quotes and compare them against renting.
4 Weeks Before
Notify your utility providers, update your address with USPS, and begin packing non-essential items.
1 Week Before
Confirm with your movers, finish packing, clean your home, and prepare a moving day essentials bag.
Moving Day
Supervise loading, do a final walkthrough of your old home, and hand over the keys.
After the Move
Update your driver's license at the Missouri DMV, register to vote in MO, and set up your new utilities.
Free to use — $2.99 to print
Climate Comparison
Tennessee
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and cold winters.
Missouri
Humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
Utilities & Cost of Living
Tennessee
Missouri
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Tennessee to Missouri?
The driving distance from Tennessee to Missouri is approximately 424 miles — about 7.5 hours of driving at highway speeds.
How much does it cost to move from Tennessee to Missouri?
A professional interstate move from Tennessee to Missouri typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the size of your home and time of year.
- Summer moves (May–September) tend to cost 20–30% more.
How soon do I need to update my driver's license after moving to Missouri?
After establishing residency in Missouri, you have 30 days to update your driver's license at a Missouri DMV office.
- Vehicle registration is a separate transaction with its own deadline, which in most states differs from the license deadline — confirm both with the Missouri DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in Missouri?
Missouri has humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
- The annual average temperature is 56°F, with about 42 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $129.