City Comparison

Bellevue vs Clarksville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bellevue

Washington
158
Very Expensive
$1.3M
Median Home
$2,525/mo
Median Rent
$169,200
Median Income

Clarksville

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

The Verdict

77.5%

Living in Clarksville costs 77.5% less than Bellevue. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bellevue, you would need $42,247 in Clarksville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Bellevue
91
Clarksville
Groceries
111
Bellevue
100
Clarksville
Utilities
100
Bellevue
103
Clarksville
Transportation
134
Bellevue
91
Clarksville
Healthcare
120
Bellevue
93
Clarksville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $42,247 in Clarksville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Clarksville equals $133,146 in Bellevue.

Living in Bellevue vs Clarksville

Housing Costs

Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Clarksville's 91, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $304,000. The $997,000 difference in home prices means roughly $64,800 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,225/mo in Clarksville, a monthly difference of $1,300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 100 in Clarksville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $475/month in Clarksville. Clarksville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 103 in Clarksville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $412 in Clarksville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 93 in Clarksville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $169,200 in Bellevue and $63,700 in Clarksville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $71,573 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $1,486/month in Clarksville. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/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 158 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 77.5% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $42,247 in Clarksville, based on the cost of living difference.
Bellevue's housing index is 249 with median homes at $1.3M, while Clarksville's is 91 with median homes at $304,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases