Moving from Boulder, CO to Clarksville, TN
It is 1134 mi between Boulder and Clarksville — roughly 20h 21m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1134 mi · 20h 21m by car · TN → KY → IL → MO → KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → KY → IL → MO → KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Columbia, Independence, Kansas City, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.6% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Clarksville at 90.947 vs Boulder at 105.202.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $964,531 to $318,206 moving to Clarksville.
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boulder | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 53.5" |
Annual temperature rises 7.7°F moving to Clarksville per NOAA normals.
Clarksville gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.65 |
Clarksville households earn about 13.6% less than Boulder at the median — $85,364 → $66,786 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clarksville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 12,310 | $37,690 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,100 | $27,290 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,880 | $30,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 8,830 | $37,170 |
| Production Occupations | 8,750 | $43,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Clarksville averages 53.5 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $85,364 in Boulder — a 21.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 13.6% lower than Boulder (90.947 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Boulder and Clarksville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.2°F in Clarksville vs 51.5°F in Boulder (7.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.5 in vs 92.8 in. Annual precipitation: 53.5 in vs 21.2 in.
How far is Clarksville, TN from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 1134 mi and the route typically takes 20h 21m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $964,531 in Boulder — a 67.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Boulder to Clarksville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1134 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO · Clarksville, TN.