City Comparison

Boise vs Clarksville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Boise

Idaho
106
Above Average
$420,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$60,818
Median Income

Clarksville

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

The Verdict

19.1%

Living in Clarksville costs 19.1% less than Boise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Boise, you would need $62,972 in Clarksville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
118
Boise
91
Clarksville
Groceries
99
Boise
100
Clarksville
Utilities
89
Boise
103
Clarksville
Transportation
99
Boise
91
Clarksville
Healthcare
98
Boise
93
Clarksville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Boise has the same purchasing power as $62,972 in Clarksville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Clarksville equals $89,326 in Boise.

Living in Boise vs Clarksville

Housing Costs

Boise's housing index of 118 is higher Clarksville's 91, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $304,000. The $116,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,536 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,225/mo in Clarksville, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 100 in Clarksville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise 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 89 in Boise and 103 in Clarksville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $412 in Clarksville. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 98 in Boise 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 $60,818 in Boise and $63,700 in Clarksville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 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 $1,419/month to housing in Boise vs $1,486/month in Clarksville. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/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 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 19.1% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Boise has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,972 in Clarksville, based on the cost of living difference.
Boise's housing index is 118 with median homes at $420,000, while Clarksville's is 91 with median homes at $304,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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