Moving from Clarksville, TN to Springfield, IL
Moving from Clarksville, TN to Springfield, IL covers 319 mi and about 6h 15m by car through 3 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.
319 mi · 6h 15m by car · TN → KY → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → KY → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 57, US 51 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Springfield and Clarksville are close on the overall BEA RPP (90.947 vs 92.745); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Springfield typical home at $163,198 is 2.0% under Clarksville at $318,206 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clarksville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 40.4" |
Springfield is 6.3°F cooler on the annual average (59.2°F vs 52.9°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.24 |
Household income lines up — $66,786 vs $65,537 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Springfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,330 | $41,140 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,250 | $78,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,240 | $29,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 9,100 | $79,530 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,150 | $33,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Springfield more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 2.0% higher than Clarksville (92.745 vs 90.947, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Clarksville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 96,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Springfield, IL from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 319 mi and the route typically takes 6h 15m via I 24 and I 57. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $66,786 in Clarksville — a 1.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $318,206 in Clarksville — a 48.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Clarksville to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 319 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 · Springfield, IL.