City Comparison

Clarksville vs Lancaster

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clarksville

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

Lancaster

Pennsylvania
100
Average
$225,000
Median Home
$1,175/mo
Median Rent
$63,700
Median Income

The Verdict

11.0%

Living in Clarksville costs 11.0% less than Lancaster. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Clarksville, you would need $84,270 in Lancaster.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Clarksville
67
Lancaster
Groceries
100
Clarksville
97
Lancaster
Utilities
103
Clarksville
110
Lancaster
Transportation
91
Clarksville
110
Lancaster
Healthcare
93
Clarksville
94
Lancaster

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $84,270 in Lancaster.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lancaster equals $66,750 in Clarksville.

Living in Clarksville vs Lancaster

Housing Costs

Clarksville's housing index of 91 is higher Lancaster's 67, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $225,000. The $79,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,136 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $1,175/mo in Lancaster, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 97 in Lancaster. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $461/month in Lancaster. 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 110 in Lancaster. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $440 in Lancaster. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Clarksville and 94 in Lancaster. 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 $63,700 in Lancaster. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $63,700 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 $1,486/month in Lancaster. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Lancaster, median rent of $1,175/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 11.0% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,270 in Lancaster, based on the cost of living difference.
Clarksville's housing index is 91 with median homes at $304,000, while Lancaster's is 67 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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