CostIndexUSA

Cary, NC vs Clarksville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NC
Cary
98.2
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Clarksville
90.9
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Clarksville is moderately cheaper than Cary — 7.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cary, you would need $74,100 in Clarksville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing28.7%
Cary
103.5
Clarksville
73.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Cary
96.6
Clarksville
96.2
🚗 Transportation2.7%
Cary
103.1
Clarksville
100.3
🏥 Healthcare2.8%
Cary
93.3
Clarksville
90.7
Utilities18.5%
Cary
89
Clarksville
72.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Cary to see what you'd need to earn in Clarksville to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Clarksville, TN
$74,100
$5,900 less needed in Clarksville

Formula: salary × (90.9 ÷ 98.2) = salary × 0.9257. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Cary, NC

Median Home Price
$428,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
103.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.6×

Clarksville, TN

Median Home Price
$289,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

Cary has 28.7% lower housing costs compared to Clarksville.

Income & Job Market

Cary, NC

Median Household Income
$96,100
Per Capita Income
$54,800
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
174,721
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareEducationResearch

Clarksville, TN

Median Household Income
$67,100
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
166,722
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Cary, NC
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Clarksville, TN
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.