Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Clarksville, TN
Relocating 549 mi from Cedar Rapids to Clarksville is a 10h 35m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
549 mi Β· 10h 35m by car Β· TN β KY β IL β MO β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β KY β IL β MO β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 61, I 64, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.2% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 53.5" |
Expect 10.9Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Clarksville β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.65 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Iowa 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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.
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 β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 far is Clarksville, TN from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 549 mi and the route typically takes 10h 35m via US 61 and I 64. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 55.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Clarksville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 549 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 2.2% higher than Cedar Rapids (90.947 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 1.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· Clarksville, TN.