Moving from St. Louis, MO to Clarksville, TN
Moving from St. Louis, MO to Clarksville, TN covers 269 mi and about 5h 2m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
269 mi · 5h 2m by car · MO → IL → KY → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | MO → IL → KY → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 64, IL 3 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Clarksville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 90.947 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 72.546 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 73.801 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Clarksville and St. Louis is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis —, Clarksville -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | St. Louis | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 53.5" |
Annual average temperatures in St. Louis (58.0°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: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, CLARKSVILLE WWTP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Clarksville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 171,897 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $66,786 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 30.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.65 |
Median household income in Clarksville is 4.4% above St. Louis ($55,279 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 Missouri 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-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 St. Louis 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 269 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Clarksville, TN from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 269 mi and the route typically takes 5h 2m via I 24 and I 64. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Clarksville more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clarksville is 4.4% lower than St. Louis (90.947 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Clarksville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,786 in Clarksville vs $55,279 in St. Louis — a 20.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Clarksville compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,730 in the Clarksville MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 96,210 and 1,325,480 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO · Clarksville, TN.