Moving from Clarksville, TN to Aurora, IL
Relocating between Clarksville, TN and Aurora, IL is a 466 mi drive — 8h 57m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
466 mi · 8h 57m by car · IL → KY → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → KY → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 24, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Naperville, Joliet |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 13.9% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $318,206 vs $316,958.
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clarksville | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 39.5" |
Expect 9.0°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Aurora averages 27.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.98 |
Expect median household income to rise 13.9% — $66,786 → $90,109 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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-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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Aurora averages 27.9 in annually vs 0.5 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $318,206 in Clarksville — a 0.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Clarksville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 96,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Aurora more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 13.9% higher than Clarksville (103.595 vs 90.947, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $66,786 in Clarksville — a 34.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Clarksville to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 466 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Aurora, IL from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 466 mi and the route typically takes 8h 57m via I 57 and I 24. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Clarksville and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 59.2°F in Clarksville (9.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 0.5 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 53.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clarksville.
City profiles: Clarksville, TN · Aurora, IL.