Moving from Clarksville, TN to Dayton, OH
Moving from Clarksville, TN to Dayton, OH covers 331 mi and about 6h 35m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
331 mi · 6h 35m by car · TN → KY → OH
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → KY → OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 71, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Cincinnati |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | Dayton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 92.694 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 95.388 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 72.712 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Dayton and Clarksville is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Dayton is 1.9% below Clarksville — $318,206 vs $136,592 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, Dayton +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clarksville | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | 12.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 41.7" |
Dayton is 5.9°F cooler on the annual average (59.2°F vs 53.3°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Dayton averages 12.3 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US, DAYTON MCD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 136,741 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $43,454 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 12.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.36 |
Median household income in Dayton is 1.9% below Clarksville ($66,786 vs $43,454, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
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 — 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-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
- Winter gear first: Dayton averages 12.3 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Ohio after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs Dayton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,454 in Dayton vs $66,786 in Clarksville — a 34.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Dayton compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $136,592 in Dayton vs $318,206 in Clarksville — a 57.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Dayton, OH from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 331 mi and the route typically takes 6h 35m via I 65 and I 71. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Clarksville to Dayton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 331 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Clarksville and Dayton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.3°F in Dayton vs 59.2°F in Clarksville (5.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 12.3 in vs 0.5 in. Annual precipitation: 41.7 in vs 53.5 in.
Is Dayton more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dayton is 1.9% higher than Clarksville (92.694 vs 90.947, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clarksville.
City profiles: Clarksville, TN · Dayton, OH.