City Comparison

Clarksville vs Columbus

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clarksville

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

Columbus

Georgia
78
Very Affordable
$222,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$58,100
Median Income

The Verdict

14.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 14.1%, with Columbus being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to $65,730 in Columbus.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Clarksville
57
Columbus
Groceries
100
Clarksville
97
Columbus
Utilities
103
Clarksville
86
Columbus
Transportation
91
Clarksville
82
Columbus
Healthcare
93
Clarksville
85
Columbus

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $65,730 in Columbus.

Conversely, $75,000 in Columbus equals $85,577 in Clarksville.

Living in Clarksville vs Columbus

Housing Costs

Clarksville's housing index of 91 is higher Columbus's 57, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $222,000. The $82,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,328 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $1,050/mo in Columbus, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 97 in Columbus. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $461/month in Columbus. 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 103 in Clarksville and 86 in Columbus. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $344 in Columbus. 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 93 in Clarksville and 85 in Columbus. 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 $58,100 in Columbus. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $74,487 respectively. Columbus residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,486/month to housing in Clarksville vs $1,356/month in Columbus. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Columbus, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Columbus is 14.1% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 89.
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $65,730 in Columbus, based on the cost of living difference.
Clarksville's housing index is 91 with median homes at $304,000, while Columbus's is 57 with median homes at $222,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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