Moving from Clarksville, TN to Elgin, IL
The 433 mi from Clarksville to Elgin translate to about 9h 23m behind the wheel through 4 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
433 mi · 9h 23m by car · TN → KY → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → KY → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 41, SR 63, US 150 |
| Major cities en route | Evansville, Chicago, Joliet, Naperville, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 13.9% pricier overall in Elgin than Clarksville on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clarksville | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 39.9" |
Climate cools by 10.2°F on the annual average — 59.2°F → 49.0°F.
Significant snow at the destination: Elgin sees 32.1 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.94 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 13.9% between Clarksville and Elgin (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elgin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Elgin averages 32.1 in annually vs 0.5 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.2°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Elgin, IL from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 433 mi and the route typically takes 9h 23m via US 41 and SR 63. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $66,786 in Clarksville — a 32.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Elgin more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 13.9% higher than Clarksville (103.595 vs 90.947, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Clarksville to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 433 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 Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 59.2°F in Clarksville (10.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 0.5 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 53.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $318,206 in Clarksville — a 3.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Clarksville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 96,210 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 Clarksville.
City profiles: Clarksville, TN · Elgin, IL.