City Comparison

Clarksville vs Modesto

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clarksville

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

Modesto

California
112
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$55,138
Median Income

The Verdict

20.5%

Living in Clarksville costs 20.5% less than Modesto. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Clarksville, you would need $94,382 in Modesto.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Clarksville
121
Modesto
Groceries
100
Clarksville
100
Modesto
Utilities
103
Clarksville
108
Modesto
Transportation
91
Clarksville
111
Modesto
Healthcare
93
Clarksville
100
Modesto

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $94,382 in Modesto.

Conversely, $75,000 in Modesto equals $59,598 in Clarksville.

Living in Clarksville vs Modesto

Housing Costs

Clarksville's housing index of 91 is lower Modesto's 121, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $380,000. The $76,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,944 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $1,400/mo in Modesto, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 100 in Modesto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $475/month in Modesto. 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 108 in Modesto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $432 in Modesto. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Clarksville and 100 in Modesto. 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 $55,138 in Modesto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $49,230 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 $1,287/month in Modesto. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 20.5% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $94,382 in Modesto, based on the cost of living difference.
Clarksville's housing index is 91 with median homes at $304,000, while Modesto's is 121 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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