Moving from Clarksville, TN to Knoxville, TN
Moving from Clarksville, TN to Knoxville, TN covers 224 mi and about 4h 14m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
224 mi · 4h 14m by car · TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 24, SR 237 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Clarksville (90.947) and Knoxville (92.569) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Knoxville at $369,216 is 1.8% above Clarksville at $318,206.
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clarksville | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 55.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.28 |
Median household income in Knoxville is 1.8% below Clarksville ($66,786 vs $50,994, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Knoxville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,000 | $39,660 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 40,780 | $28,680 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 39,220 | $36,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,880 | $32,470 |
| Production Occupations | 33,840 | $41,910 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- Pack rain gear on top: Knoxville averages 55.8 in of annual precipitation — 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $318,206 in Clarksville — a 16.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $66,786 in Clarksville — a 23.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 224 mi and the route typically takes 4h 14m via I 40 and I 24. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 1.8% higher than Clarksville (92.569 vs 90.947, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Clarksville to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 224 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Clarksville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 96,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clarksville.
City profiles: Clarksville, TN · Knoxville, TN.