City Comparison

Clarksville vs Nashville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clarksville

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

Nashville

Tennessee
102
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$59,828
Median Income

The Verdict

12.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 12.7%, with Clarksville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to $85,955 in Nashville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Clarksville
108
Nashville
Groceries
100
Clarksville
96
Nashville
Utilities
103
Clarksville
92
Nashville
Transportation
91
Clarksville
100
Nashville
Healthcare
93
Clarksville
98
Nashville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $85,955 in Nashville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Nashville equals $65,441 in Clarksville.

Living in Clarksville vs Nashville

Housing Costs

Clarksville's housing index of 91 is lower Nashville's 108, 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 $1,600/mo in Nashville, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 96 in Nashville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $456/month in Nashville. 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 92 in Nashville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $368 in Nashville. 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 98 in Nashville. 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 $59,828 in Nashville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $58,655 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 $1,396/month in Nashville. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Nashville, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 12.7% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 102.
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $85,955 in Nashville, based on the cost of living difference.
Clarksville's housing index is 91 with median homes at $304,000, while Nashville's is 108 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases