Moving from Clarksville, TN to Lincoln, NE
A move from Clarksville, TN to Lincoln, NE covers 709 mi and around 13h 21m of driving through 6 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
709 mi · 13h 21m by car · NE → IA → MO → IL → KY → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → IA → MO → IL → KY → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | Lincoln | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 91.581 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 76.817 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 94.101 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 84.208 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Clarksville (90.947) and Lincoln (91.581) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Lincoln ZHVI at $291,062 is 0.7% below Clarksville at $318,206.
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, Lincoln +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clarksville | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | 26.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 29.3" |
Lincoln is 6.9°F cooler on the annual average (59.2°F vs 52.3°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.0 in of snowfall annually at Lincoln.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US, LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 291,932 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $69,991 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 26.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.42 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lincoln MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,500 | $40,590 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,810 | $29,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 14,720 | $35,130 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,440 | $43,440 |
| Management Occupations | 13,270 | $99,080 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Nebraska
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nebraska'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-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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Lincoln averages 26.0 in annually vs 0.5 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Tornado season peaks May through July — identify a safe room or interior space 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 Nebraska after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Clarksville and Lincoln?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.3°F in Lincoln vs 59.2°F in Clarksville (6.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.0 in vs 0.5 in. Annual precipitation: 29.3 in vs 53.5 in.
How far is Lincoln, NE from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 709 mi and the route typically takes 13h 21m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lincoln compare to Clarksville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA vs $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA, on total employment of 179,040 and 96,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs Lincoln?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,991 in Lincoln vs $66,786 in Clarksville — a 4.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lincoln compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $291,062 in Lincoln vs $318,206 in Clarksville — a 8.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Lincoln more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lincoln is 0.7% higher than Clarksville (91.581 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 Lincoln?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 709 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 · Lincoln, NE.