Moving from Huntsville, AL to Clarksville, TN
It is a 158 mi drive, roughly 3h 11m, between Huntsville, AL and Clarksville, TN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
158 mi · 3h 11m by car · AL → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 24, AL 53 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntsville | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.072 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.931 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.946 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 93.072 vs 90.947 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.3% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Huntsville +0.2%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Huntsville | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.4" | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.3" | 53.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Huntsville (62.9°F) and Clarksville (59.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Clarksville 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: HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntsville | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $70,778 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.65 |
Households in Clarksville earn about 2.3% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clarksville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 12,310 | $37,690 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,100 | $27,290 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,880 | $30,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 8,830 | $37,170 |
| Production Occupations | 8,750 | $43,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Clarksville averages 53.5 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.
- Register to vote in Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Clarksville, TN from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance is 158 mi and the route typically takes 3h 11m via I 65 and I 24. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Huntsville vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $70,778 in Huntsville — a 5.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Huntsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 250,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Huntsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $287,569 in Huntsville — a 10.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Huntsville to Clarksville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 158 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Huntsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 2.3% lower than Huntsville (90.947 vs 93.072, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Huntsville and Clarksville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.2°F in Clarksville vs 62.9°F in Huntsville (3.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.5 in vs 2.4 in. Annual precipitation: 53.5 in vs 54.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Huntsville.
City profiles: Huntsville, AL · Clarksville, TN.