Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Clarksville, TN (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Clarksville

Tennessee
83

St. Louis is 20% cheaper than Clarksville.

$978/mo ↓ 20%
Median Rent
$1,215/mo ↑ 24%
$55,279/yr ↓ 17%
Median Income
$66,786/yr ↑ 21%
$185,100 ↓ 22%
Home Value
$236,100 ↑ 28%
$1,013/mo ↓ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,254/mo ↑ 24%
293,109
Population
171,897

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Clarksville, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $237/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $2,844/year.

Median household income is $11,507/year higher in Clarksville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $236,100 in Clarksville.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Clarksville residents a significant tax advantage over Missouri's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Clarksville — common questions

Is St. Louis or Clarksville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 83 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Clarksville?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Clarksville it's $1,215/month — a difference of $237/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Clarksville?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $66,786 in Clarksville. Median household income is $11,507/year higher in Clarksville.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Tennessee?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Clarksville?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/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 St. Louis details → View Clarksville details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Clarksville

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