City Comparison

Clarksville vs College Station

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clarksville

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

College Station

Texas
87
Below Average
$314,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$50,900
Median Income

The Verdict

2.3%

College Station is 2.3% less expensive than Clarksville overall. A household earning $75,000 in Clarksville would need approximately $73,315 in College Station to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Clarksville
82
College Station
Groceries
100
Clarksville
93
College Station
Utilities
103
Clarksville
96
College Station
Transportation
91
Clarksville
85
College Station
Healthcare
93
Clarksville
90
College Station

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $73,315 in College Station.

Conversely, $75,000 in College Station equals $76,724 in Clarksville.

Living in Clarksville vs College Station

Housing Costs

Clarksville's housing index of 91 is higher College Station's 82, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $314,000. The $10,000 difference in home prices means roughly $648 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $1,075/mo in College Station, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 93 in College Station. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $442/month in College Station. College Station offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 103 in Clarksville and 96 in College Station. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $384 in College Station. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Clarksville and 90 in College Station. 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 $63,700 in Clarksville and $50,900 in College Station. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $58,506 respectively. Clarksville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,486/month to housing in Clarksville vs $1,188/month in College Station. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

College Station is 2.3% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 89.
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,315 in College Station, based on the cost of living difference.
Clarksville's housing index is 91 with median homes at $304,000, while College Station's is 82 with median homes at $314,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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