Moving from Clarksville, TN to Winston-Salem, NC
The 490 mi from Clarksville to Winston-Salem translate to about 9h 9m behind the wheel through 3 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
490 mi Β· 9h 9m by car Β· NC β VA β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 52, I 81 |
| Major cities en route | High Point, Greensboro, Knoxville, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | Winston-Salem | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 92.043 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 88.421 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 71.377 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Clarksville (90.947) and Winston-Salem (92.043) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Winston-Salem ZHVI at $264,333 is 1.2% below Clarksville at $318,206.
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, Winston-Salem +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clarksville | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 43.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US, WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 250,887 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $57,673 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.5 |
Income steps down 1.2%: $66,786 in Clarksville vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Winston-Salem MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,440 | $40,070 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,960 | $36,300 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 26,050 | $31,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,820 | $27,550 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 24,350 | $78,520 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Winston-Salem compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,333 in Winston-Salem vs $318,206 in Clarksville β a 16.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs Winston-Salem?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $57,673 in Winston-Salem vs $66,786 in Clarksville β a 13.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Winston-Salem compare to Clarksville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA vs $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA, on total employment of 271,620 and 96,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 490 mi and the route typically takes 9h 9m via I 40 and US 52. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Clarksville to Winston-Salem?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 490 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Winston-Salem more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Winston-Salem is 1.2% higher than Clarksville (92.043 vs 90.947, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clarksville.
City profiles: Clarksville, TN Β· Winston-Salem, NC.