City Comparison

Clarksville vs Richmond

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clarksville

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

Richmond

Virginia
103
Average
$300,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$50,120
Median Income

The Verdict

13.6%

Living in Clarksville costs 13.6% less than Richmond. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Clarksville, you would need $86,798 in Richmond.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Clarksville
108
Richmond
Groceries
100
Clarksville
100
Richmond
Utilities
103
Clarksville
97
Richmond
Transportation
91
Clarksville
100
Richmond
Healthcare
93
Clarksville
100
Richmond

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $86,798 in Richmond.

Conversely, $75,000 in Richmond equals $64,806 in Clarksville.

Living in Clarksville vs Richmond

Housing Costs

Clarksville's housing index of 91 is lower Richmond's 108, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $300,000. The $4,000 difference in home prices means roughly $264 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 Richmond, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Clarksville and 100 in Richmond. 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 $50,120 in Richmond. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $48,660 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 $1,169/month in Richmond. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Richmond, 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 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 13.6% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,798 in Richmond, based on the cost of living difference.
Clarksville's housing index is 91 with median homes at $304,000, while Richmond's is 108 with median homes at $300,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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