City Comparison

Clarksville vs Norfolk

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clarksville

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

Norfolk

Virginia
99
Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$51,938
Median Income

The Verdict

10.1%

Living in Clarksville costs 10.1% less than Norfolk. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Clarksville, you would need $83,427 in Norfolk.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Clarksville
95
Norfolk
Groceries
100
Clarksville
99
Norfolk
Utilities
103
Clarksville
97
Norfolk
Transportation
91
Clarksville
100
Norfolk
Healthcare
93
Clarksville
99
Norfolk

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $83,427 in Norfolk.

Conversely, $75,000 in Norfolk equals $67,424 in Clarksville.

Living in Clarksville vs Norfolk

Housing Costs

Clarksville's housing index of 91 is lower Norfolk's 95, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $250,000. The $54,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $1,300/mo in Norfolk, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 99 in Norfolk. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $470/month in Norfolk. 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 Norfolk. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $388 in Norfolk. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Clarksville and 99 in Norfolk. 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 $51,938 in Norfolk. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $52,463 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 $1,212/month in Norfolk. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Norfolk, median rent of $1,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 10.1% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 99.
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,427 in Norfolk, based on the cost of living difference.
Clarksville's housing index is 91 with median homes at $304,000, while Norfolk's is 95 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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