City Comparison

Clarksville vs Elk Grove

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clarksville

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

Elk Grove

California
144
Expensive
$608,000
Median Home
$1,975/mo
Median Rent
$123,200
Median Income

The Verdict

38.2%

Living in Clarksville costs 38.2% less than Elk Grove. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Clarksville, you would need $121,348 in Elk Grove.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Clarksville
221
Elk Grove
Groceries
100
Clarksville
106
Elk Grove
Utilities
103
Clarksville
115
Elk Grove
Transportation
91
Clarksville
118
Elk Grove
Healthcare
93
Clarksville
103
Elk Grove

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $121,348 in Elk Grove.

Conversely, $75,000 in Elk Grove equals $46,354 in Clarksville.

Living in Clarksville vs Elk Grove

Housing Costs

Clarksville's housing index of 91 is lower Elk Grove's 221, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $608,000. The $304,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,764 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $1,975/mo in Elk Grove, a monthly difference of $750.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 106 in Elk Grove. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $504/month in Elk Grove. Clarksville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 103 in Clarksville and 115 in Elk Grove. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $460 in Elk Grove. 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 103 in Elk Grove. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $63,700 in Clarksville and $123,200 in Elk Grove. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $85,556 respectively. Elk Grove 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 $2,875/month in Elk Grove. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Elk Grove, median rent of $1,975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 130 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 38.2% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 144.
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $121,348 in Elk Grove, based on the cost of living difference.
Clarksville's housing index is 91 with median homes at $304,000, while Elk Grove's is 221 with median homes at $608,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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