City Comparison

Clarksville vs Fort Collins

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clarksville

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

Fort Collins

Colorado
116
Above Average
$531,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$74,800
Median Income

The Verdict

23.3%

Living in Clarksville costs 23.3% less than Fort Collins. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Clarksville, you would need $97,753 in Fort Collins.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Clarksville
142
Fort Collins
Groceries
100
Clarksville
100
Fort Collins
Utilities
103
Clarksville
87
Fort Collins
Transportation
91
Clarksville
108
Fort Collins
Healthcare
93
Clarksville
97
Fort Collins

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $97,753 in Fort Collins.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Collins equals $57,543 in Clarksville.

Living in Clarksville vs Fort Collins

Housing Costs

Clarksville's housing index of 91 is lower Fort Collins's 142, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $531,000. The $227,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,760 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $1,625/mo in Fort Collins, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 100 in Fort Collins. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $475/month in Fort Collins. 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 87 in Fort Collins. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $348 in Fort Collins. 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 97 in Fort Collins. 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 $74,800 in Fort Collins. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $64,483 respectively. Clarksville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,486/month to housing in Clarksville vs $1,745/month in Fort Collins. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 23.3% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 116.
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $97,753 in Fort Collins, based on the cost of living difference.
Clarksville's housing index is 91 with median homes at $304,000, while Fort Collins's is 142 with median homes at $531,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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