Moving from Clarksville, TN to Richmond, CA
Cross-country relocations like Clarksville, TN → Richmond, CA cover 2306 mi and about 40h 22m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2306 mi · 40h 22m by car · TN → KY → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → KY → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Columbia, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Richmond runs 27.1% higher than Clarksville — a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (90.947 → 115.613, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Richmond is 27.1% above Clarksville — $318,206 vs $606,427 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clarksville | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 24.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Clarksville (59.2°F) and Richmond (58.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Richmond gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.85 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 27.1% between Clarksville and Richmond (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Richmond more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 27.1% higher than Clarksville (115.613 vs 90.947, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $318,206 in Clarksville — a 90.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Clarksville to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2306 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $66,786 in Clarksville — a 34.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Clarksville and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 59.2°F in Clarksville (0.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.5 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 53.5 in.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Clarksville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 96,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Richmond, CA from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 2306 mi and the route typically takes 40h 22m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 9 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 · Richmond, CA.