Moving from Clarksville, TN to Columbus, OH
Relocating between Clarksville, TN and Columbus, OH is a 385 mi drive β 7h 29m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
385 mi Β· 7h 29m by car Β· OH β KY β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β KY β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 71, I 65, US 79 |
| Major cities en route | Dayton, Cincinnati |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | Columbus | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 95.469 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 95.523 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 87.945 | 100.0 |
Columbus runs about 5.0% more expensive overall than Clarksville β RPP 90.947 β 95.469.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $318,206 in Clarksville to $245,979 in Columbus, a 5.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, Columbus -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clarksville | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 44.7" |
Expect 6.4Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US, COLUMBUS WCMH, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 906,480 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $65,327 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 24.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.34 |
Household income lines up β $66,786 vs $65,327 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Columbus MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 132,160 | $44,440 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 121,490 | $40,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,300 | $29,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 83,070 | $35,930 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 78,820 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Columbus compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,979 in Columbus vs $318,206 in Clarksville β a 22.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Columbus, OH from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 385 mi and the route typically takes 7h 29m via I 71 and I 65. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Columbus more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbus is 5.0% higher than Clarksville (95.469 vs 90.947, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs Columbus?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,327 in Columbus vs $66,786 in Clarksville β a 2.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Columbus compare to Clarksville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,970 in the Columbus MSA vs $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA, on total employment of 1,067,190 and 96,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Clarksville to Columbus?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 385 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clarksville.
City profiles: Clarksville, TN Β· Columbus, OH.