Moving from Little Rock, AR to Clarksville, TN
It is a 351 mi drive, roughly 6h 49m, between Little Rock, AR and Clarksville, TN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
351 mi · 6h 49m by car · AR → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 79, SR 218 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 89.364 vs 90.947 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.8% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $216,519 to $318,206 moving to Clarksville.
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Little Rock | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 53.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Little Rock (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: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.65 |
Households in Clarksville earn about 1.8% more at the median — 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 Arkansas 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.
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
Is Clarksville more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 1.8% higher than Little Rock (90.947 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Clarksville, TN from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 351 mi and the route typically takes 6h 49m via I 40 and US 79. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $216,519 in Little Rock — a 47.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Little Rock and Clarksville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.2°F in Clarksville vs 61.7°F in Little Rock (2.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.5 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 53.5 in vs 50.4 in.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $60,583 in Little Rock — a 10.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock 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 351 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 345,890 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 Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR · Clarksville, TN.