City Comparison

Clarksville vs Jackson

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clarksville

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

Jackson

Mississippi
82
Very Affordable
$125,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$36,528
Median Income

The Verdict

8.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.5%, with Jackson being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to $69,101 in Jackson.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Clarksville
56
Jackson
Groceries
100
Clarksville
95
Jackson
Utilities
103
Clarksville
86
Jackson
Transportation
91
Clarksville
97
Jackson
Healthcare
93
Clarksville
88
Jackson

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $69,101 in Jackson.

Conversely, $75,000 in Jackson equals $81,402 in Clarksville.

Living in Clarksville vs Jackson

Housing Costs

Clarksville's housing index of 91 is higher Jackson's 56, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $125,000. The $179,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,640 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $900/mo in Jackson, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 95 in Jackson. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $451/month in Jackson. 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 Jackson. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $344 in Jackson. 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 88 in Jackson. 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 $36,528 in Jackson. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $44,546 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 $852/month in Jackson. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Jackson, median rent of $900/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jackson is 8.5% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 89.
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,101 in Jackson, based on the cost of living difference.
Clarksville's housing index is 91 with median homes at $304,000, while Jackson's is 56 with median homes at $125,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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