Clarksville vs Memphis
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Clarksville
Memphis
The Verdict
Memphis is 6.0% less expensive than Clarksville overall. A household earning $75,000 in Clarksville would need approximately $70,787 in Memphis 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 $70,787 in Memphis.
Conversely, $75,000 in Memphis equals $79,464 in Clarksville.
Living in Clarksville vs Memphis
Housing Costs
Clarksville's housing index of 91 is higher Memphis's 63, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $155,000. The $149,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,684 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $1,000/mo in Memphis, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 93 in Memphis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $442/month in Memphis. Memphis offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 103 in Clarksville and 88 in Memphis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $352 in Memphis. 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 92 in Memphis. 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 $41,228 in Memphis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $49,081 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 $962/month in Memphis. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Memphis, median rent of $1,000/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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