Champaign vs Clarksville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Champaign
Clarksville
The Verdict
Living in Champaign costs 9.0% less than Clarksville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $82,407 in Clarksville.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $82,407 in Clarksville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Clarksville equals $68,258 in Champaign.
Living in Champaign vs Clarksville
Housing Costs
Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Clarksville's 91, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $304,000. The $89,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,784 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,225/mo in Clarksville, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 100 in Clarksville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign 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 106 in Champaign and 103 in Clarksville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $412 in Clarksville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign 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 $56,100 in Champaign and $63,700 in Clarksville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 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 $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,486/month in Clarksville. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/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 8 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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