Moving from Greensboro, NC to Clarksville, TN
It is 513 mi between Greensboro and Clarksville β roughly 9h 37m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
513 mi Β· 9h 37m by car Β· NC β VA β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 52, I 81 |
| Major cities en route | High Point, Winston Salem, Knoxville, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Greensboro | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.865 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.065 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.519 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.1% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Greensboro -0.1%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Greensboro | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.9" | 53.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Clarksville β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: GREENSBORO WTP, NC US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Greensboro | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $58,884 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.65 |
Households in Clarksville earn about 2.1% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 North Carolina 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 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can 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
- Pack rain gear on top: Clarksville averages 53.5 in of annual precipitation β 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
Is Clarksville more expensive than Greensboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 2.1% lower than Greensboro (90.947 vs 92.865, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Greensboro to Clarksville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 513 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Greensboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $42,730 in the Greensboro MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 356,380 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Greensboro vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $58,884 in Greensboro β a 13.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Clarksville, TN from Greensboro, NC?
The driving distance is 513 mi and the route typically takes 9h 37m via I 40 and US 52. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Greensboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $264,428 in Greensboro β a 20.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Greensboro.
City profiles: Greensboro, NC Β· Clarksville, TN.