Moving from Renton, WA to Clarksville, TN
Moving from Renton, WA to Clarksville, TN is a 2351 mi cross-country relocation β about 41h 38m of driving through 10 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2351 mi Β· 41h 38m by car Β· TN β KY β IL β MO β IA β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β KY β IL β MO β IA β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 29, US 212 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Columbia, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Clarksville is 18.2% cheaper than Renton overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Clarksville is 18.2% below Renton β $764,375 vs $318,206 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 53.5" |
Clarksville runs 5.6Β°F warmer on the annual average (53.6Β°F vs 59.2Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Clarksville gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.65 |
Median household income in Clarksville is 18.2% below Renton ($96,626 vs $66,786, 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 Washington 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 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-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 18.2% lower than Renton (90.947 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $96,626 in Renton β a 30.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Clarksville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2351 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 Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Clarksville compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $764,375 in Renton β a 58.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Clarksville, TN from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 2351 mi and the route typically takes 41h 38m via I 90 and I 29. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Clarksville, TN.