Cost of Living: Madison, WI vs Clarksville, TN (2026)

Madison

Wisconsin
103
VS

Clarksville

Tennessee
83

Madison is 24% more expensive than Clarksville.

$1,364/mo ↑ 12%
Median Rent
$1,215/mo ↓ 11%
$76,983/yr ↑ 15%
Median Income
$66,786/yr ↓ 13%
$346,900 ↑ 47%
Home Value
$236,100 ↓ 32%
$1,476/mo ↑ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,254/mo ↓ 15%
275,568
Population
171,897

Tax Comparison

7.65%
Income Tax
0%
5.0%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
1.61%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Madison, WI and Clarksville, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 103 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $149/month cheaper in Clarksville, saving renters about $1,788/year.

Median household income is $10,197/year higher in Madison. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Madison is $346,900 compared to $236,100 in Clarksville.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Clarksville residents a significant tax advantage over Wisconsin's 7.65% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Madison vs Clarksville — common questions

Is Madison or Clarksville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clarksville is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 103 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Madison and Clarksville?
Median rent in Madison is $1,364/month and in Clarksville it's $1,215/month — a difference of $149/month.
Which city has higher income, Madison or Clarksville?
Median household income is $76,983 in Madison and $66,786 in Clarksville. Median household income is $10,197/year higher in Madison.
How do taxes compare between Wisconsin and Tennessee?
Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to Madison or Clarksville?
It depends on your priorities. Madison has a cost index of 103 with median rent of $1,364/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 Madison details → View Clarksville details →

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