Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Clarksville, TN
It is 1594 mi and 28h 1m from Salt Lake City to Clarksville — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1594 mi · 28h 1m by car · UT → WY → NE → IA → MO → IL → KY → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → NE → IA → MO → IL → KY → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln, Kansas City, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.8% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Clarksville at 90.947 vs Salt Lake City at 100.868.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.8% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $573,181 to $318,206 moving to Clarksville.
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 53.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Salt Lake City (55.8°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: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 33 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.65 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 9.8% lower in Clarksville than Salt Lake City.
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 Utah 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-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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees 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 — 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
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City 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 1594 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 Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $318,206 in Clarksville vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City — a 44.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Clarksville more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 9.8% lower than Salt Lake City (90.947 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Salt Lake City and Clarksville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.2°F in Clarksville vs 55.8°F in Salt Lake City (3.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.5 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 53.5 in vs 17.7 in.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City — a 10.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Clarksville, TN from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 1594 mi and the route typically takes 28h 1m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 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 Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT · Clarksville, TN.