Moving from Clarksville, TN to Birmingham, AL
It is a 239 mi drive, roughly 4h 31m, between Clarksville, TN and Birmingham, AL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
239 mi · 4h 31m by car · AL → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 24, US 31 |
| Major cities en route | Huntsville, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Clarksville and Birmingham sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $318,206 in Clarksville to $135,870 in Birmingham, a 0.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clarksville | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 56.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 59.2°F vs 63.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 1.4 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.25 |
Birmingham households earn about 0.8% less than Clarksville at the median — $66,786 → $44,376 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Birmingham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 63,490 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 51,190 | $38,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 51,120 | $34,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,990 | $26,920 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 41,870 | $64,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Birmingham average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Birmingham averages 56.6 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Clarksville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 96,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Clarksville and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 59.2°F in Clarksville (4.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 0.5 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 53.5 in.
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $66,786 in Clarksville — a 33.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $318,206 in Clarksville — a 57.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Clarksville to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 239 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 0.8% higher than Clarksville (91.644 vs 90.947, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 239 mi and the route typically takes 4h 31m via I 65 and I 24. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clarksville.
City profiles: Clarksville, TN · Birmingham, AL.