City Comparison

Allentown vs Clarksville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania
98
Average
$232,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$55,500
Median Income

Clarksville

Tennessee
89
Below Average
$304,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$63,700
Median Income

The Verdict

10.1%

Living in Clarksville costs 10.1% less than Allentown. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $68,112 in Clarksville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
109
Allentown
91
Clarksville
Groceries
101
Allentown
100
Clarksville
Utilities
102
Allentown
103
Clarksville
Transportation
103
Allentown
91
Clarksville
Healthcare
83
Allentown
93
Clarksville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $68,112 in Clarksville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Clarksville equals $82,584 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Clarksville

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Clarksville's 91, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $304,000. The $72,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,225/mo in Clarksville, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 100 in Clarksville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $475/month in Clarksville. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Allentown and 103 in Clarksville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $412 in Clarksville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 93 in Clarksville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,500 in Allentown and $63,700 in Clarksville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $71,573 respectively. Clarksville residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Allentown vs $1,486/month in Clarksville. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/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 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 10.1% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,112 in Clarksville, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while Clarksville's is 91 with median homes at $304,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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