City Comparison

Arlington vs Clarksville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

Texas
96
Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$60,138
Median Income

Clarksville

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

The Verdict

7.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.9%, with Clarksville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $69,531 in Clarksville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
86
Arlington
91
Clarksville
Groceries
96
Arlington
100
Clarksville
Utilities
99
Arlington
103
Clarksville
Transportation
106
Arlington
91
Clarksville
Healthcare
100
Arlington
93
Clarksville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $69,531 in Clarksville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Clarksville equals $80,899 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Clarksville

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 86 is lower Clarksville's 91, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $304,000. The $44,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,225/mo in Clarksville, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 100 in Clarksville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington 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 99 in Arlington and 103 in Clarksville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $412 in Clarksville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 93 in Clarksville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $63,700 in Clarksville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 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 $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,486/month in Clarksville. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/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 Transportation, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 7.9% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 96.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,531 in Clarksville, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 86 with median homes at $260,000, while Clarksville's is 91 with median homes at $304,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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