Alexandria vs Clarksville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Alexandria
Clarksville
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 62.9%, with Clarksville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to $46,034 in Clarksville.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has the same purchasing power as $46,034 in Clarksville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Clarksville equals $122,191 in Alexandria.
Living in Alexandria vs Clarksville
Housing Costs
Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Clarksville's 91, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $304,000. The $286,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,588 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $1,225/mo in Clarksville, a monthly difference of $900.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 100 in Clarksville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $475/month in Clarksville. Clarksville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 103 in Clarksville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $412 in Clarksville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Alexandria and 93 in Clarksville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $119,700 in Alexandria and $63,700 in Clarksville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $71,573 respectively. Alexandria residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,793/month to housing in Alexandria vs $1,486/month in Clarksville. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 110 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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