Moving from Birmingham, AL to Clarksville, TN
It is a 239 mi drive, roughly 4h 31m, between Birmingham, AL and Clarksville, TN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
239 mi · 4h 31m by car · AL → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 24, US 31 |
| Major cities en route | Huntsville, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Birmingham and Clarksville sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $135,870 in Birmingham to $318,206 in Clarksville, a 0.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 53.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.9°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: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.65 |
Clarksville households earn about 0.8% more than Birmingham at the median — $44,376 → $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 Alabama 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.
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 far is Clarksville, TN from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 239 mi and the route typically takes 4h 31m via I 65 and I 24. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 0.8% lower than Birmingham (90.947 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Clarksville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.2°F in Clarksville vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (4.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.5 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 53.5 in vs 56.6 in.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 50.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 134.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham 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 239 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Clarksville, TN.