City Comparison

Clarksville vs Providence

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clarksville

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

Providence

Rhode Island
110
Above Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$47,012
Median Income

The Verdict

19.1%

Clarksville is 19.1% less expensive than Providence overall. A household earning $75,000 in Clarksville would need approximately $92,697 in Providence to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Clarksville
118
Providence
Groceries
100
Clarksville
105
Providence
Utilities
103
Clarksville
119
Providence
Transportation
91
Clarksville
102
Providence
Healthcare
93
Clarksville
112
Providence

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $92,697 in Providence.

Conversely, $75,000 in Providence equals $60,682 in Clarksville.

Living in Clarksville vs Providence

Housing Costs

Clarksville's housing index of 91 is lower Providence's 118, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $310,000. The $6,000 difference in home prices means roughly $396 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $1,500/mo in Providence, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 105 in Providence. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $499/month in Providence. 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 119 in Providence. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $476 in Providence. 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 112 in Providence. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $47,012 in Providence. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $42,738 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 $1,097/month in Providence. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Providence, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 19.1% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $92,697 in Providence, based on the cost of living difference.
Clarksville's housing index is 91 with median homes at $304,000, while Providence's is 118 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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