Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Clarksville, TN (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Clarksville

Tennessee
83

Irvine is 208% more expensive than Clarksville.

$2,893/mo ↑ 138%
Median Rent
$1,215/mo ↓ 58%
$129,647/yr ↑ 94%
Median Income
$66,786/yr ↓ 48%
$1,115,400 ↑ 372%
Home Value
$236,100 ↓ 79%
$2,904/mo ↑ 132%
Owner Costs
$1,254/mo ↓ 57%
308,160
Population
171,897

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Clarksville, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,678/month cheaper in Clarksville, saving renters about $20,136/year.

Median household income is $62,861/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $236,100 in Clarksville.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Clarksville residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Clarksville — common questions

Is Irvine or Clarksville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clarksville is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Clarksville?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Clarksville it's $1,215/month — a difference of $1,678/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Clarksville?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $66,786 in Clarksville. Median household income is $62,861/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Tennessee?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Clarksville?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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 Irvine details → View Clarksville details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Irvine and Clarksville

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