City Comparison

Clarksville vs Milwaukee

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clarksville

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

Milwaukee

Wisconsin
92
Below Average
$175,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$44,044
Median Income

The Verdict

3.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 3.3%, with Clarksville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to $77,528 in Milwaukee.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Clarksville
80
Milwaukee
Groceries
100
Clarksville
100
Milwaukee
Utilities
103
Clarksville
97
Milwaukee
Transportation
91
Clarksville
103
Milwaukee
Healthcare
93
Clarksville
102
Milwaukee

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $77,528 in Milwaukee.

Conversely, $75,000 in Milwaukee equals $72,554 in Clarksville.

Living in Clarksville vs Milwaukee

Housing Costs

Clarksville's housing index of 91 is higher Milwaukee's 80, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $175,000. The $129,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,388 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $1,100/mo in Milwaukee, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 100 in Milwaukee. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $475/month in Milwaukee. 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 97 in Milwaukee. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $388 in Milwaukee. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Clarksville and 102 in Milwaukee. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $44,044 in Milwaukee. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $47,874 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 $1,028/month in Milwaukee. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Milwaukee, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 3.3% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,528 in Milwaukee, based on the cost of living difference.
Clarksville's housing index is 91 with median homes at $304,000, while Milwaukee's is 80 with median homes at $175,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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