Moving from Clarksville, TN to Tuscaloosa, AL
It is a 294 mi drive, roughly 5h 31m, between Clarksville, TN and Tuscaloosa, AL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
294 mi Β· 5h 31m by car Β· TN β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 20, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Huntsville, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 90.947 vs 87.722 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.5% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $318,206 to $228,947 moving to Tuscaloosa.
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clarksville | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 57.3" |
Annual temperature rises 5.1Β°F moving to Tuscaloosa per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.68 |
Tuscaloosa households earn about 3.5% less than Clarksville at the median β $66,786 β $48,536 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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-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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tuscaloosa average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Clarksville to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 294 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 3.5% lower than Clarksville (87.722 vs 90.947, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 294 mi and the route typically takes 5h 31m via I 65 and I 20. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $318,206 in Clarksville β a 28.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $66,786 in Clarksville β a 27.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Clarksville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA, on total employment of 103,520 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 Β· Tuscaloosa, AL.