City Comparison

Cedar Rapids vs Clarksville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cedar Rapids

Iowa
82
Very Affordable
$195,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$70,400
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 Cedar Rapids being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cedar Rapids has equivalent purchasing power to $81,402 in Clarksville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
65
Cedar Rapids
91
Clarksville
Groceries
99
Cedar Rapids
100
Clarksville
Utilities
95
Cedar Rapids
103
Clarksville
Transportation
92
Cedar Rapids
91
Clarksville
Healthcare
102
Cedar Rapids
93
Clarksville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cedar Rapids has the same purchasing power as $81,402 in Clarksville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Clarksville equals $69,101 in Cedar Rapids.

Living in Cedar Rapids vs Clarksville

Housing Costs

Cedar Rapids's housing index of 65 is lower Clarksville's 91, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $304,000. The $109,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Cedar Rapids compared to $1,225/mo in Clarksville, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Cedar Rapids and 100 in Clarksville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids and 103 in Clarksville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Cedar Rapids vs $412 in Clarksville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Cedar Rapids and 93 in Clarksville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $70,400 in Cedar Rapids and $63,700 in Clarksville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,854 and $71,573 respectively. Cedar Rapids residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,643/month to housing in Cedar Rapids vs $1,486/month in Clarksville. In Cedar Rapids, median rent of $925/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 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cedar Rapids is 7.9% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 89.
A $75,000 salary in Cedar Rapids has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,402 in Clarksville, based on the cost of living difference.
Cedar Rapids's housing index is 65 with median homes at $195,000, while Clarksville's is 91 with median homes at $304,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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