City Comparison

Clarksville vs St. Paul

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clarksville

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

St. Paul

Minnesota
100
Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$57,718
Median Income

The Verdict

11.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 11.0%, with Clarksville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to $84,270 in St. Paul.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Clarksville
98
St. Paul
Groceries
100
Clarksville
103
St. Paul
Utilities
103
Clarksville
97
St. Paul
Transportation
91
Clarksville
108
St. Paul
Healthcare
93
Clarksville
105
St. Paul

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $84,270 in St. Paul.

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $66,750 in Clarksville.

Living in Clarksville vs St. Paul

Housing Costs

Clarksville's housing index of 91 is lower St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $260,000. The $44,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,856 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 St. Paul, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville vs $489/month in St. Paul. 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 St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $388 in St. Paul. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Clarksville and 105 in St. Paul. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 and $57,718 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 $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Clarksville, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville is 11.0% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,270 in St. Paul, based on the cost of living difference.
Clarksville's housing index is 91 with median homes at $304,000, while St. Paul's is 98 with median homes at $260,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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