Moving from Wilmington, NC to Clarksville, TN
Relocating 655 mi from Wilmington to Clarksville is a 12h 58m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
655 mi · 12h 58m by car · TN → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 74, I 40, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Knoxville, Concord, Charlotte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.7% cheaper overall in Clarksville than Wilmington on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.7% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wilmington | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 53.5" |
Expect 5.2°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Clarksville — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.65 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 North Carolina 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-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade 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
When is the best time to move from Wilmington 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 655 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $416,159 in Wilmington — a 23.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Wilmington and Clarksville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.2°F in Clarksville vs 64.4°F in Wilmington (5.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.5 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 53.5 in vs 60.1 in.
How far is Clarksville, TN from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 655 mi and the route typically takes 12h 58m via US 74 and I 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 5.7% lower than Wilmington (90.947 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $63,900 in Wilmington — a 4.5% 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 Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC · Clarksville, TN.