Moving from Clarksville, TN to Cincinnati, OH
Relocating between Clarksville, TN and Cincinnati, OH is a 280 mi drive — 5h 34m 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.
280 mi · 5h 34m by car · OH → KY → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | OH → KY → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 71, US 79 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | Cincinnati | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 95.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 90.954 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 93.751 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 87.608 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 90.947 vs 95.37 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.9% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $318,206 to $249,568 moving to Cincinnati.
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, Cincinnati +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clarksville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 24°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 43.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Clarksville (59.2°F) and Cincinnati (54.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US, CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 309,595 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $51,707 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.17 |
Expect median household income to fall 4.9% — $66,786 → $51,707 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cincinnati MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 134,320 | $43,760 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,420 | $40,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 103,690 | $29,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 91,020 | $35,670 |
| Production Occupations | 77,510 | $44,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Cincinnati compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,568 in Cincinnati vs $318,206 in Clarksville — a 21.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs Cincinnati?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,707 in Cincinnati vs $66,786 in Clarksville — a 22.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Cincinnati, OH from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 280 mi and the route typically takes 5h 34m via I 65 and I 71. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Cincinnati more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cincinnati is 4.9% higher than Clarksville (95.37 vs 90.947, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Cincinnati compare to Clarksville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,280 in the Cincinnati MSA vs $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA, on total employment of 1,081,800 and 96,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Clarksville to Cincinnati?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 280 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 Clarksville.
City profiles: Clarksville, TN · Cincinnati, OH.