Clarksville vs Fayetteville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Clarksville
Fayetteville
The Verdict
Clarksville is 1.1% less expensive than Fayetteville overall. A household earning $75,000 in Clarksville would need approximately $75,843 in Fayetteville to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $75,843 in Fayetteville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fayetteville equals $74,167 in Clarksville.
Living in Clarksville vs Fayetteville
Housing Costs
Clarksville's housing index of 91 is lower Fayetteville's 94, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $332,000. The $28,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $1,025/mo in Fayetteville, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 92 in Fayetteville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $437/month in Fayetteville. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 103 in Clarksville and 98 in Fayetteville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $392 in Fayetteville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 93 in Clarksville and 78 in Fayetteville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $59,100 in Fayetteville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $65,667 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 $1,379/month in Fayetteville. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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