CostIndexUSA

Chicago, IL vs Clarksville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Chicago
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Clarksville
90.9
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Clarksville is moderately cheaper than Chicago — 12.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chicago, you would need $70,200 in Clarksville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing34.1%
Chicago
112
Clarksville
73.8
🛒 Groceries10.3%
Chicago
107.3
Clarksville
96.2
🚗 Transportation4.9%
Chicago
105.5
Clarksville
100.3
🏥 Healthcare5.0%
Chicago
95.5
Clarksville
90.7
Utilities13.3%
Chicago
83.6
Clarksville
72.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Chicago to see what you'd need to earn in Clarksville to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Clarksville, TN
$70,200
$9,800 less needed in Clarksville

Formula: salary × (90.9 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8774. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Clarksville, TN

Median Home Price
$289,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

Chicago has 34.1% lower housing costs compared to Clarksville.

Income & Job Market

Chicago, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
2,693,976
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

Clarksville, TN

Median Household Income
$67,100
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
166,722
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Chicago, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Clarksville, TN
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.