Cost of Living: Clarksville, TN vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Clarksville

Tennessee
83
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Clarksville is 8% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,215/mo ↑ 14%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 12%
$66,786/yr ↑ 9%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 8%
$236,100 ↓ 6%
Home Value
$251,300 ↑ 6%
$1,254/mo ↑ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 16%
171,897
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

21.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Clarksville, TN and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 83 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $150/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $1,800/year.

Median household income is $5,332/year higher in Clarksville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Clarksville is $236,100 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Clarksville residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarksville vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Clarksville or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 83 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Clarksville and Lafayette?
Median rent in Clarksville is $1,215/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $150/month.
Which city has higher income, Clarksville or Lafayette?
Median household income is $66,786 in Clarksville and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $5,332/year higher in Clarksville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Louisiana?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Clarksville or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Clarksville has a cost index of 83 with median rent of $1,215/mo, while Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Clarksville details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Clarksville and Lafayette

Clarksville vs. Oceanside Clarksville vs. Garden Grove Clarksville vs. Rancho Cucamonga Clarksville vs. Pembroke Pines Clarksville vs. Salem Clarksville vs. Lancaster Lafayette vs. Rochester Lafayette vs. Ann Arbor Lafayette vs. Independence Lafayette vs. Berkeley Lafayette vs. College Station Lafayette vs. Fairfield