Moving from Clarksville, TN to Norfolk, VA
The drive from Clarksville, TN to Norfolk, VA runs 746 mi — about 13h 50m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
746 mi · 13h 50m by car · VA → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 40, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | Norfolk | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.7% pricier overall in Norfolk than Clarksville on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, Norfolk +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clarksville | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | 3.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 45.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 59.2°F vs 61.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 3.0 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, NORFOLK NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 235,037 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $64,017 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 19.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.49 |
Household income lines up — $66,786 vs $64,017 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norfolk MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see 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 far is Norfolk, VA from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 746 mi and the route typically takes 13h 50m via I 81 and I 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Norfolk more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norfolk is 7.7% higher than Clarksville (97.941 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 Norfolk?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 746 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Norfolk compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,227 in Norfolk vs $318,206 in Clarksville — a 3.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs Norfolk?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,017 in Norfolk vs $66,786 in Clarksville — a 4.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Clarksville and Norfolk?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.4°F in Norfolk vs 59.2°F in Clarksville (2.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.0 in vs 0.5 in. Annual precipitation: 45.7 in vs 53.5 in.
How does the job market in Norfolk compare to Clarksville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA vs $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA, on total employment of 737,200 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 · Norfolk, VA.