Moving from Madison, WI to Clarksville, TN
It is 559 mi between Madison and Clarksville β roughly 10h 44m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
559 mi Β· 10h 44m by car Β· WI β IL β KY β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IL β KY β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 51, I 39, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.5% moving from Madison to Clarksville β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $423,767 in Madison to $318,206 in Clarksville, a 6.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 53.5" |
Annual temperature rises 12.0Β°F moving to Clarksville per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Clarksville sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.65 |
Households in Clarksville earn about 6.5% less at the median β 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 Wisconsin 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 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees 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
- Pack rain gear on top: Clarksville averages 53.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 559 mi and the route typically takes 10h 44m via US 51 and I 39. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 6.5% lower than Madison (90.947 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $423,767 in Madison β a 24.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $76,983 in Madison β a 13.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Madison to Clarksville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 559 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI Β· Clarksville, TN.