Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Clarksville, TN (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Clarksville

Tennessee
83

Houston is 6% more expensive than Clarksville.

$1,313/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,215/mo ↓ 7%
$62,894/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$66,786/yr ↑ 6%
$253,400 ↑ 7%
Home Value
$236,100 ↓ 7%
$1,316/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,254/mo ↓ 5%
2,300,419
Population
171,897

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Clarksville, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $98/month cheaper in Clarksville, saving renters about $1,176/year.

Median household income is $3,892/year higher in Clarksville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $236,100 in Clarksville.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Clarksville — common questions

Is Houston or Clarksville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clarksville is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Clarksville?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Clarksville it's $1,215/month — a difference of $98/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Clarksville?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $66,786 in Clarksville. Median household income is $3,892/year higher in Clarksville.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Tennessee?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Clarksville?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/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.
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More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Clarksville

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