City Comparison

Clarksville vs Rockford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clarksville

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

Rockford

Illinois
79
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$53,300
Median Income

The Verdict

12.7%

Living in Rockford costs 12.7% less than Clarksville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Clarksville, you would need $66,573 in Rockford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Clarksville
52
Rockford
Groceries
100
Clarksville
99
Rockford
Utilities
103
Clarksville
92
Rockford
Transportation
91
Clarksville
101
Rockford
Healthcare
93
Clarksville
106
Rockford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $66,573 in Rockford.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $84,494 in Clarksville.

Living in Clarksville vs Rockford

Housing Costs

Clarksville's housing index of 91 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $155,000. The $149,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,684 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $470/month in Rockford. 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 Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $368 in Rockford. 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 106 in Rockford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $67,468 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 $1,244/month in Rockford. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rockford is 12.7% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 89.
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,573 in Rockford, based on the cost of living difference.
Clarksville's housing index is 91 with median homes at $304,000, while Rockford's is 52 with median homes at $155,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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