Moving from Richmond, CA to Clarksville, TN
Cross-country relocations like Richmond, CA → Clarksville, TN cover 2306 mi and about 40h 22m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2306 mi · 40h 22m by car · TN → KY → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → KY → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 24 |
| 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
| Richmond | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Clarksville is 21.3% lower than Richmond — the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Clarksville: 21.3% below Richmond on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 71°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 53.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Clarksville — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND, CA US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 2.65 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 21.3% between Richmond and Clarksville (ACS 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 California 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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
What is the climate difference between Richmond and Clarksville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.2°F in Clarksville vs 58.8°F in Richmond (0.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 53.5 in vs 24.4 in.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $90,038 in Richmond — a 25.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $606,427 in Richmond — a 47.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Clarksville, TN from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 2306 mi and the route typically takes 40h 22m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 21.3% lower than Richmond (90.947 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Richmond 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 2306 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA · Clarksville, TN.