Moving from Fairfield, CA to Clarksville, TN
Cross-country relocations like Fairfield, CA → Clarksville, TN cover 2276 mi and about 39h 46m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2276 mi · 39h 46m by car · TN → KY → IL → MO → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → KY → IL → MO → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Columbia, Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Clarksville is 16.2% cheaper than Fairfield overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Clarksville is 16.2% below Fairfield — $609,269 vs $318,206 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 53.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Fairfield (61.7°F) and Clarksville (59.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Clarksville gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.65 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 16.2% between Fairfield and Clarksville (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clarksville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 12,310 | $37,690 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,100 | $27,290 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,880 | $30,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 8,830 | $37,170 |
| Production Occupations | 8,750 | $43,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Clarksville averages 53.5 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Clarksville, TN from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2276 mi and the route typically takes 39h 46m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 16.2% lower than Fairfield (90.947 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 34.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Clarksville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2276 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 47.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Clarksville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.2°F in Clarksville vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (2.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 53.5 in vs 24.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Clarksville, TN.