Moving from Springfield, IL to Clarksville, TN
Moving from Springfield, IL to Clarksville, TN covers 319 mi and about 6h 15m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
319 mi Β· 6h 15m by car Β· TN β KY β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β KY β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 57, US 51 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Clarksville and Springfield is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Clarksville is 1.9% above Springfield β $163,198 vs $318,206 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 53.5" |
Clarksville runs 6.3Β°F warmer on the annual average (52.9Β°F vs 59.2Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
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: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.65 |
Median household incomes in Springfield ($65,537) and Clarksville ($66,786) are within a few percent (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 Illinois 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.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees 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 far is Clarksville, TN from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 319 mi and the route typically takes 6h 15m via I 24 and I 57. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Clarksville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 319 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 95.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 1.9% lower than Springfield (90.947 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 1.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Clarksville, TN.