CostIndexUSA

Clarksville, TN vs Des Moines, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Clarksville
90.9
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
IA
Des Moines
91.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Clarksville is slightly cheaper than Des Moines — 0.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Clarksville, you would need $80,700 in Des Moines. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+14.8%
Clarksville
73.8
Des Moines
84.7
🛒 Groceries2.6%
Clarksville
96.2
Des Moines
93.7
🚗 Transportation2.7%
Clarksville
100.3
Des Moines
97.6
🏥 Healthcare2.6%
Clarksville
90.7
Des Moines
88.3
Utilities+16.7%
Clarksville
72.5
Des Moines
84.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Des Moines, IA
$80,700
$700 more needed in Des Moines

Formula: salary × (91.7 ÷ 90.9) = salary × 1.0088. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Clarksville, TN

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

Des Moines, IA

Median Home Price
$285,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
84.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0×

Des Moines has 14.8% higher housing costs compared to Clarksville.

Income & Job Market

Clarksville, TN

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

Des Moines, IA

Median Household Income
$82,700
Per Capita Income
$47,100
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
214,237
Top Industries
FinanceInsuranceHealthcareGovernmentManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

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

Clarksville, TN
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Des Moines, IA
5.5×income-to-rent ratio

82% 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.