Moving from Clarksville, TN to Yonkers, NY
The drive from Clarksville, TN to Yonkers, NY runs 948 mi — about 17h 56m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
948 mi · 17h 56m by car · NY → NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 40, US 52 |
| Major cities en route | Stamford, Paterson, New York, Jersey City, Newark |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clarksville | Yonkers | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.947 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 72.546 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.801 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 23.8% higher overall in Yonkers vs Clarksville on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Yonkers: 23.8% above Clarksville on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Clarksville -0.4%, Yonkers +5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clarksville | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.5" | 32.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.5" | 51.2" |
Climate cools by 5.8°F on the annual average — 59.2°F → 53.4°F.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.7 in of snowfall annually at Yonkers.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US, DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clarksville | Yonkers |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 209,529 |
| Median household income | $66,786 | $81,816 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 19.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 23.8% between Clarksville and Yonkers (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Yonkers MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and New York
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New York'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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see 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 — Yonkers averages 32.7 in annually vs 0.5 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Pack rain gear on top: Yonkers averages 51.2 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 New York after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Yonkers compared to Clarksville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $680,218 in Yonkers vs $318,206 in Clarksville — a 113.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Yonkers more expensive than Clarksville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Yonkers is 23.8% higher than Clarksville (112.563 vs 90.947, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Yonkers, NY from Clarksville, TN?
The driving distance is 948 mi and the route typically takes 17h 56m via I 81 and I 40. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Clarksville and Yonkers?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.4°F in Yonkers vs 59.2°F in Clarksville (5.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.7 in vs 0.5 in. Annual precipitation: 51.2 in vs 53.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Clarksville to Yonkers?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 948 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Clarksville vs Yonkers?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,816 in Yonkers vs $66,786 in Clarksville — a 22.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Yonkers compare to Clarksville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA vs $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 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 · Yonkers, NY.