Cost of Living: Chesapeake, VA vs Clarksville, TN (2026)

Chesapeake

Virginia
112
VS

Clarksville

Tennessee
83

Chesapeake is 35% more expensive than Clarksville.

$1,523/mo ↑ 25%
Median Rent
$1,215/mo ↓ 20%
$94,189/yr ↑ 41%
Median Income
$66,786/yr ↓ 29%
$359,100 ↑ 52%
Home Value
$236,100 ↓ 34%
$1,680/mo ↑ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,254/mo ↓ 25%
251,153
Population
171,897

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
0%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

19.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chesapeake, VA and Clarksville, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 112 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $308/month cheaper in Clarksville, saving renters about $3,696/year.

Median household income is $27,403/year higher in Chesapeake. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chesapeake is $359,100 compared to $236,100 in Clarksville.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Clarksville residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chesapeake vs Clarksville — common questions

Is Chesapeake or Clarksville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clarksville is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 112 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chesapeake and Clarksville?
Median rent in Chesapeake is $1,523/month and in Clarksville it's $1,215/month — a difference of $308/month.
Which city has higher income, Chesapeake or Clarksville?
Median household income is $94,189 in Chesapeake and $66,786 in Clarksville. Median household income is $27,403/year higher in Chesapeake.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Tennessee?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to Chesapeake or Clarksville?
It depends on your priorities. Chesapeake has a cost index of 112 with median rent of $1,523/mo, while Clarksville has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,215/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Chesapeake details → View Clarksville details →

More Comparisons

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