Moving from Kansas City, KS to Clarksville, TN
It is 524 mi between Kansas City and Clarksville — roughly 9h 60m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
524 mi · 9h 60m by car · TN → KY → IL → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → KY → IL → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 24, I 64 |
| 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
| Kansas City | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 92.543 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 1.7% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $198,195 to $318,206 moving to Clarksville.
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Kansas City | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 53.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Kansas City (56.9°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: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 34 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.65 |
Households in Clarksville earn about 1.7% more 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 Kansas 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.
- 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.
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
When is the best time to move from Kansas City 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 524 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Clarksville, TN from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 524 mi and the route typically takes 9h 60m via I 70 and I 24. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 1.7% lower than Kansas City (90.947 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $198,195 in Kansas City — a 60.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Kansas City and Clarksville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.2°F in Clarksville vs 56.9°F in Kansas City (2.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.5 in vs 11.0 in. Annual precipitation: 53.5 in vs 38.1 in.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $59,183 in Kansas City — a 12.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 1,078,310 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 Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS · Clarksville, TN.