Moving from Newport News, VA to Clarksville, TN
The drive from Newport News, VA to Clarksville, TN runs 729 mi β about 13h 31m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
729 mi Β· 13h 31m by car Β· VA β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 40, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Newport News | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Clarksville are 7.1% below Newport News β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 7.1% higher in Clarksville than Newport News as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Newport News +1.4%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Newport News | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.1" | 53.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.5Β°F vs 59.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 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: NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newport News | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $66,718 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.65 |
Household income lines up β $66,718 vs $66,786 on 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 Virginia 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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 does household income compare in Newport News vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $66,718 in Newport News β a 0.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Newport News?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $290,660 in Newport News β a 9.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Newport News to Clarksville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 729 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Clarksville, TN from Newport News, VA?
The driving distance is 729 mi and the route typically takes 13h 31m via I 81 and I 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Newport News?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 7.1% lower than Newport News (90.947 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Newport News?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $46,990 in the Newport News MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 737,200 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 Newport News.
City profiles: Newport News, VA Β· Clarksville, TN.