Moving from San Mateo, CA to Clarksville, TN
It is 2289 mi and 40h 29m from San Mateo to Clarksville β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2289 mi Β· 40h 29m by car Β· TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | 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 |
BEA RPP drops from 115.613 in San Mateo to 90.947 in Clarksville, a 21.3% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 21.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,686,905 to $318,206 moving to Clarksville.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 53.5" |
Annual average temperatures in San Mateo (58.7Β°F) and Clarksville (59.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Clarksville gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 38 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.65 |
Expect median household income to fall 21.3% β $152,669 β $66,786 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 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 the job market in Clarksville compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo 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 San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 21.3% lower than San Mateo (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 San Mateo to Clarksville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2289 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 56.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Clarksville, TN from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 2289 mi and the route typically takes 40h 29m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 81.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Clarksville, TN.