City Comparison

Asheville vs Clarksville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Asheville

North Carolina
108
Above Average
$360,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$48,534
Median Income

Clarksville

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

The Verdict

21.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 21.3%, with Clarksville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Asheville has equivalent purchasing power to $61,806 in Clarksville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
120
Asheville
91
Clarksville
Groceries
103
Asheville
100
Clarksville
Utilities
95
Asheville
103
Clarksville
Transportation
100
Asheville
91
Clarksville
Healthcare
106
Asheville
93
Clarksville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Asheville has the same purchasing power as $61,806 in Clarksville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Clarksville equals $91,011 in Asheville.

Living in Asheville vs Clarksville

Housing Costs

Asheville's housing index of 120 is higher Clarksville's 91, translating to median home prices of $360,000 vs $304,000. The $56,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,636 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Asheville compared to $1,225/mo in Clarksville, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Asheville and 100 in Clarksville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Asheville 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 95 in Asheville and 103 in Clarksville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Asheville vs $412 in Clarksville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Asheville and 93 in Clarksville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,534 in Asheville and $63,700 in Clarksville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $44,939 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 $1,132/month to housing in Asheville vs $1,486/month in Clarksville. In Asheville, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 21.3% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Asheville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,806 in Clarksville, based on the cost of living difference.
Asheville's housing index is 120 with median homes at $360,000, while Clarksville's is 91 with median homes at $304,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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