Moving from Rochester, MN to Clarksville, TN
The drive from Rochester, MN to Clarksville, TN runs 718 mi — about 14h 8m 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.
718 mi · 14h 8m by car · TN → KY → IL → MO → IA → MN
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → KY → IL → MO → IA → MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 61, I 64, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Clarksville and Rochester is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Clarksville is 0.1% below Rochester ($318,206 vs $339,455 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 53.5" |
Climate warms by 14.4°F on the annual average — 44.8°F → 59.2°F.
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: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.65 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.1% between Rochester 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 Minnesota 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-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.4°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 does household income compare in Rochester vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 23.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 6.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Rochester 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 718 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 0.1% higher than Rochester (90.947 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Clarksville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.2°F in Clarksville vs 44.8°F in Rochester (14.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.5 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 53.5 in vs 34.7 in.
How far is Clarksville, TN from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 718 mi and the route typically takes 14h 8m via US 61 and I 64. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 119,430 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 Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN · Clarksville, TN.