City Comparison

Brownsville vs Clarksville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Brownsville

Texas
75
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$875/mo
Median Rent
$52,100
Median Income

Clarksville

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

The Verdict

15.7%

Living in Brownsville costs 15.7% less than Clarksville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Brownsville, you would need $89,000 in Clarksville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
58
Brownsville
91
Clarksville
Groceries
87
Brownsville
100
Clarksville
Utilities
79
Brownsville
103
Clarksville
Transportation
84
Brownsville
91
Clarksville
Healthcare
92
Brownsville
93
Clarksville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has the same purchasing power as $89,000 in Clarksville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Clarksville equals $63,202 in Brownsville.

Living in Brownsville vs Clarksville

Housing Costs

Brownsville's housing index of 58 is lower Clarksville's 91, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $304,000. The $149,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,684 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Brownsville compared to $1,225/mo in Clarksville, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 87 in Brownsville and 100 in Clarksville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $413/month in Brownsville vs $475/month in Clarksville. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Brownsville and 103 in Clarksville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Brownsville 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 92 in Brownsville 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 $52,100 in Brownsville and $63,700 in Clarksville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,467 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 $1,216/month to housing in Brownsville vs $1,486/month in Clarksville. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/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 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville is 15.7% more affordable overall with an index of 75 vs 89.
A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $89,000 in Clarksville, based on the cost of living difference.
Brownsville's housing index is 58 with median homes at $155,000, while Clarksville's is 91 with median homes at $304,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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