Moving from Springfield, MO to Clarksville, TN
It is a 391 mi drive, roughly 7h 46m, between Springfield, MO and Clarksville, TN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
391 mi Β· 7h 46m by car Β· TN β KY β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β KY β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 60, I 24, US 62 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.585 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.825 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 65.568 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Springfield +1.9%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.5" | 53.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Clarksville β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $45,984 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.13 | 2.65 |
Clarksville households earn about 2.7% more than Springfield at the median β $45,984 β $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 Missouri 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 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 $41,490 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 217,710 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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 391 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 $242,870 in Springfield β a 31.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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 $45,984 in Springfield β a 45.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 2.7% higher than Springfield (90.947 vs 88.585, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Clarksville, TN from Springfield, MO?
The driving distance is 391 mi and the route typically takes 7h 46m via US 60 and I 24. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MO Β· Clarksville, TN.