Moving from Clarksville, TN to Kansas City, KS
It is 524 mi between Clarksville and Kansas City — roughly 9h 60m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
524 mi · 9h 60m by car · TN → KY → IL → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → KY → IL → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 24, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Columbia, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.8% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clarksville | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 38.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Kansas City gets around 11.0 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.72 |
Households in Kansas City earn about 1.8% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Kansas City average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Clarksville and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 59.2°F in Clarksville (2.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 0.5 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 53.5 in.
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $66,786 in Clarksville — a 11.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 1.8% higher than Clarksville (92.543 vs 90.947, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $318,206 in Clarksville — a 37.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Clarksville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 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 Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 524 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 524 mi and the route typically takes 9h 60m via I 70 and I 24. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clarksville.
City profiles: Clarksville, TN · Kansas City, KS.