City Comparison

Clarksville vs North Charleston

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clarksville

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

North Charleston

South Carolina
102
Average
$347,000
Median Home
$1,525/mo
Median Rent
$61,400
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 North Charleston.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Clarksville
102
North Charleston
Groceries
100
Clarksville
101
North Charleston
Utilities
103
Clarksville
120
North Charleston
Transportation
91
Clarksville
91
North Charleston
Healthcare
93
Clarksville
86
North Charleston

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in North Charleston equals $65,441 in Clarksville.

Living in Clarksville vs North Charleston

Housing Costs

Clarksville's housing index of 91 is lower North Charleston's 102, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $347,000. The $43,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,796 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $1,525/mo in North Charleston, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 101 in North Charleston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $480/month in North Charleston. 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 120 in North Charleston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $480 in North Charleston. 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 86 in North Charleston. 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 $61,400 in North Charleston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $60,196 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 $1,433/month in North Charleston. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In North Charleston, median rent of $1,525/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, 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 North Charleston, based on the cost of living difference.
Clarksville's housing index is 91 with median homes at $304,000, while North Charleston's is 102 with median homes at $347,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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