CostIndexUSA

Clarksville, TN vs Santa Cruz, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Clarksville
90.9
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
CA
Santa Cruz
109.9
overall index
$3,425/mo rent

Clarksville is significantly cheaper than Santa Cruz — 20.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Clarksville, you would need $96,700 in Santa Cruz. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+122.6%
Clarksville
73.8
Santa Cruz
164.3
🛒 Groceries+9.4%
Clarksville
96.2
Santa Cruz
105.2
🚗 Transportation+5.0%
Clarksville
100.3
Santa Cruz
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+5.1%
Clarksville
90.7
Santa Cruz
95.3
Utilities+110.6%
Clarksville
72.5
Santa Cruz
152.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Cruz, CA
$96,700
$16,700 more needed in Santa Cruz

Formula: salary × (109.9 ÷ 90.9) = salary × 1.2090. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Clarksville, TN

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

Santa Cruz, CA

Median Home Price
$1,091,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,425
Housing Index
164.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.5×

Santa Cruz has 122.6% higher housing costs compared to Clarksville.

Income & Job Market

Clarksville, TN

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

Santa Cruz, CA

Median Household Income
$105,600
Per Capita Income
$60,200
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
64,725
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyTourismAgricultureHealthcare

Affordability at a Glance

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

Clarksville, TN
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Cruz, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% 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.