Moving from Chicago, IL to Clarksville, TN
It is a 398 mi drive, roughly 8h 31m, between Chicago, IL and Clarksville, TN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
398 mi Β· 8h 31m by car Β· IL β IN β KY β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IN β KY β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 41, SR 63, I 69 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Evansville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 12.2% moving from Chicago to Clarksville β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Clarksville ($318,206) sits close to Chicago ($317,283) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 53.5" |
Annual temperature rises 8.4Β°F moving to Clarksville per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Clarksville sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.65 |
Households in Clarksville earn about 12.2% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Illinois 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see 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.
- 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 Chicago vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 11.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Clarksville, TN from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 398 mi and the route typically takes 8h 31m via US 41 and SR 63. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 0.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Clarksville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 398 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 12.2% lower than Chicago (90.947 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Clarksville, TN.