Moving from Sacramento, CA to Clarksville, TN
A 2238 mi cross-country move between Sacramento and Clarksville is 38h 50m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2238 mi · 38h 50m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → MO → IL → KY → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → MO → IL → KY → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Elk Grove, Roseville, Reno, Sparks, Salt Lake City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 14.7% moving from Sacramento to Clarksville — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $479,766 in Sacramento to $318,206 in Clarksville, a 14.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sacramento | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 53.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.4°F vs 59.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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 1991–2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.65 |
Clarksville households earn about 14.7% less than Sacramento at the median — $83,753 → $66,786 on 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 — 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 the job market in Clarksville compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $83,753 in Sacramento — a 20.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $479,766 in Sacramento — a 33.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Sacramento and Clarksville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.2°F in Clarksville vs 63.4°F in Sacramento (4.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 53.5 in vs 19.2 in.
How far is Clarksville, TN from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 2238 mi and the route typically takes 38h 50m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Sacramento 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 2238 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 14.7% lower than Sacramento (90.947 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA · Clarksville, TN.