How Much Does it Cost to Live in Clarksville?

For homebuyers in search of a charming southern city to call home, the Clarksville community is a great option. Its small population and residential streets give the city a relaxed feel. Still, the nearby universities, plentiful eateries, and lively downtown area make this city a breath of fresh air for the prospective homebuyer. Being an attractive place to call home, many people are thinking about moving to Clarksville. To aid in the decision-making process, here is an in-depth look at average living expenses. Keep reading to learn all about the cost of living in Clarksville.

Cost of Housing in Clarksville, Tennessee

In general, the cost of housing in Clarksville is considered more affordable than in the rest of the country.

On a cost of living index where 100 is the average cost of housing throughout the United States, the city of Clarksville scored 68.9. This score makes the average cost of housing in Clarksville significantly lower than the majority of the country.

In Clarksville, the average home price is between $150,000 to $400,000. When compared with nearby major cities in Tennessee, Clarksville is typically less expensive than others. In the Nashville community, the most populous city in Tennessee, the typical home value is over $300,000.

Gallatin is another city close to Clarksville, also bordered by the Cumberland River. The average cost of homes in Gallatin is comparable to the prices in Clarksville. However, Gallatin lakefront homes often sell for over $1 million.

Median Home Prices in Clarksville, Tennessee

In Clarksville, residents save more by purchasing a home than they do by renting one. While the average home price is between $150,000 and $400,000, the cost of buying a home in the city is also dependent on the property's surrounding neighborhood.

Bluegrass Downs is a peaceful neighborhood located in Clarksville, with mostly two-story colonials over 2,000 square feet. The majority of the homes in this quiet neighborhood sell for between $200,000 and $300,000, which is average for Clarksville real estate.

In Willow Bend, most properties sell between $150,000 and $400,000. Most homes are over 2,000 square feet in living space, containing three or four bedrooms and multiple bathrooms. As with all neighborhoods, there are some outliers, and it is not uncommon to see townhomes and condos come on the market here.

Lastly, Sage Meadows is a subdivision within Clarksville, Tennessee, with houses predominantly selling in the low $200,000's. Homes in Sage Meadows are frequently one-level ranches between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet.

Median Rent in Clarksville, Tennessee

Unlike home costs in Clarksville, rental expenses in the city are about the same as the national average. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment will run a Clarksville resident just over $900 per month.

There is no significant difference in rent prices between studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom condos in Clarksville. When renting one of these units, expect to pay anywhere between $500 and $1,000 monthly.

When it comes to larger rentals containing three or more bedrooms, the monthly cost increases slightly. Renters with three or more bedrooms in their apartment pay anywhere between $1,000 and $1,500 for their spaces.

Renting an entire home in Clarksville costs about the same as renting an apartment. However, homes for rent are more likely to be between two and three bedrooms. If an entire home is a must-have for a prospective renter, they can expect to pay up to $1,500 per month.

The price of rent is dependent on the home or unit's location. Downtown Clarksville, Madison Street, and Brandon Hills apartment units are known for being on the pricier side of rentals. This is partly due to their proximity to restaurants, public transportation, commercial businesses, and more.

In comparison, neighborhoods like Emerald Hill, New Providence, and Ringgold are the most affordable areas for renting in Clarksville. These neighborhoods tend to be on the quiet side, but are only a short drive to all the amenities that Clarksville has to offer.

Cost of Utilities in Clarksville, Tennessee

Utilities cost roughly the same throughout all of Tennessee. The average utility bill in the state costs roughly $123, making Tennessee the tenth most expensive state for utilities in the country.

Compared to the rest of the country, Clarksville residents can expect to save a significant amount on their phone bills. The typical phone bill in Clarksville comes out to around $50, while the national average is over $100.

Most major cable and internet providers serve Clarksville. They offer a wide range of prices for services and depending on resident needs, and prices start as low as $20/month. Some internet and cable options can cost as much as $100 or more per month.

Cost of Food in Clarksville, Tennessee

With the cost of living in Clarksville, Tennessee being lower than the national average, it follows that residents will face lower food prices.

There are several grocery stores, markets, and convenience stores available in Clarksville. The most popular grocery stores in the area are ALDI, Kroger, Publix Super Market, and Sam's Club.

Clarksville also offers several health food and supplement stores, including a Vitamin Shoppe, Nutrition Factory, and Nutrishop.

Cost of Groceries in Clarksville, Tennessee

In Clarksville, groceries are slightly less expensive than in the rest of the country. For example, a gallon of milk in Clarksville comes to $2.99. The U.S. average for a gallon of reduced-fat 2% milk is $3.64.

Likewise, the prices of one banana, a carton of a dozen eggs, one pound of butter, and one pound of lean ground beef in Clarksville are all less expensive than the national average.

The lowest-priced grocery stores in Clarksville are ALDI, Price Less IGA, and the Food Lion. While grocery prices are fairly consistent across the board, these grocery stores are the most likely to sell food for a few cents cheaper, have sales, and offer coupons.

Cost of Eating Out in Clarksville, Tennessee

While there are plenty of crowd-pleasing restaurants located in Clarksville, the cost of a meal out varies. Clarksville's most popular eateries include Hananoki Japanese Steakhouse, the Catfish House, and Pbody's.

In Clarksville, the cost of a dinner for two (without cocktails) at casual dining spots like the Catfish House and Pbody's will hover around $50.

In contrast, higher-end dining establishments like Hananoki Japanese Steakhouse will have higher tabs. At Hananoki's, a dinner for two without cocktails will typically cost $75 or more.

There are also several fast-food restaurants for Clarksville residents to patronize. McDonald's, Chik-fil-A, and Sonic have all made themselves at home in Clarksville.

To put the cost of eating out in Clarksville into perspective, the average price of a Big Mac in the U.S. is $5.65. In contrast, the price of a Big Mac in Clarksville comes to just $5.19. Like restaurants and groceries, eating out is a bit less expensive in Clarksville than in the rest of the country.

Transportation Options in Clarksville, Tennessee

Transportation options in Clarksville are not as expensive as they are in other major cities. For example, the average annual cost of car insurance in Clarksville is $817. With the national average being $1,424, car insurance in Clarksville is significantly less expensive than it is across the rest of the U.S. Gas prices in Clarksville also tend to be less expensive per gallon than in the rest of the country.

When it comes to parking, there are multiple parking garages in the downtown Clarksville area. This includes 133 Commerce Street Garage and 350 Pageant Lane Parking, both of which are within walking distance to the downtown Clarksville area.

In addition to the garages, Clarksville offers metered parking. The parking garages and the metered parking spots cost $.25 for the first hour and fifteen minutes. After, each hour of parking costs $2, up to a limit of four hours. Parking is free in downtown Clarksville after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.

Clarksville also has a public transportation system called the Clarksville Transit System. The system services all of Clarksville. The cost per ride is $1.50, with discounts available for children, students, and seniors. Weekly and monthly passes are also available.

It's rare to hail a taxi from the street in Clarksville, so residents will have a better shot at calling in advance. Crown Cab Company and 101st Airborne Cab are two reputable taxi companies that serve Clarksville.

Ridesharing is also an option in Clarksville. Uber, Lyft, and most other major ride-sharing options serve the area. There are a fair number of cars available on the street, so riders are not likely to be waiting long for a car. The average 10-minute Lyft ride costs under $15.

Cost of Healthcare in Clarksville, Tennessee

The cost of healthcare in Clarksville is slightly higher than the U.S. average. For a basic medical plan serving one individual, the average Clarksville resident can expect to pay over $500. To spend a day in in-patient care, the cost, without insurance, comes to close to $2,000.

Pets fare a bit better when it comes to saving money on medicine and healthcare. Costs for pet care in Clarksville, Tennessee, are far lower than the national average. A routine visit to a vet's office will typically cost pet owners anywhere from $50 to $128.

Low-cost pet care opportunities provided by the Clarksville-Montgomery Humane Society make vet costs even lower in Clarksville. Vaccinations, heart work tests, surgeries, and run-of-the-mill grooming procedures like ear cleaning and nail trims are offered by the humane society at a lower cost than most private offices.

Most services offered by the Clarksville-Montgomery Humane Society are less than $100. This is in sharp contrast to the rest of the country, where the average pet surgery can cost well beyond $200.

Cost of Child Care in Clarksville, Tennessee

Child care can be a huge monthly expense, and that is no different in Clarksville. The average hourly rate of a private nanny is between $7.25 and $15.

Private child care costs are fairly consistent across Clarksville. However, the final cost will be dependent on age, location, the type of care needed, and whether a car or driver's license is required.

Parents in Clarksville can expect to pay less for nanny services than some busier surrounding cities like Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville. Nashville is particularly expensive, with the average hourly rate of a childcare worker being more than $15.

There are childcare options in Clarksville outside of private nannying. Kiddieland Child Care Center, Giving Tree Child Care Center, and the Youth Academy are all daycare centers that serve Clarksville.

These facilities offer flexible pick-up and drop-off options, nutritious meals, and enriching activities for children up to five years of age. For these daycare centers, Clarksville residents can expect to pay upwards of $7,000 per year.

Cost of Entertainment in Clarksville, Tennessee

From concerts to festivals to arcades and sporting events, there are entertainment options for every Clarksville resident to choose from.

The City Forum in Clarksville is home to plenty of games and arcade activities, including go-karts, laser tag, bowling, and a mini-golf course. All of these activities are reasonably priced, with most games costing less than $20.

In addition to an arcade, Clarksville is home to two movie theaters, the Regal Clarksville and AMC Governor's Square 10. A movie at either of these theaters costs about $10, which is significantly lower than the national average of $15.

Tennessee has three professional sports teams— the Nashville Predators (hockey), the Tennessee Titans (football), and the Memphis Grizzlies (basketball). These professional games are fairly accessible for residents of Clarksville, with most tickets selling for between $100 and $200.

Clarksville is also home to the Warehouse Concert Lounge and Event Center, which hosts a steady stream of popular acts. Tickets to performances here typically are under $30.

For many Clarksville residents, retail shopping is a form of entertainment. Shoppers in Clarksville can expect to pay the Tennessee sales tax rate, currently set at 7%. Medical supplies, certain groceries, and food items are all sold at a lower tax rate. However, unlike other states, there are no products that are exempt from state sales tax. Additionally, the best parks in Clarksville are always entertaining and free.

Average Salary in Clarksville, Tennessee

The average hourly rate for the workforce in Clarksville is about $15.37, with the average salary for the area being approximately $36,070 per year. The current minimum wage in the area is $7.25, the same hourly rate as the current federal minimum.

The unemployment rate in Clarksville is 6.2%, slightly higher than the U.S. average of 6%. However, future job growth is predicted to grow by 36.8%. This statistic shows a positive economic outlook for Clarksville.

The highest-paying jobs in Clarksville can be found in industries like management, engineering, and computer science. Earners in these fields can expect to see annual salaries over $60,000.

The main employers in the area include Wal-Mart, Kroger, and Tennova, a company that provides medical services and procedures. These corporations are the most frequent hirers in the area, all major enterprises with numerous positions to fill throughout the company.

Final Thoughts on the Cost of Living in Clarksville, Tennessee

For most residents, living in Clarksville, Tennessee is less expensive than other comparable cities across the country. This, in addition to the many amenities Clarksville has to offer, makes the city perfect for anyone looking for a small-town cost of living with big-city energy. With the cost of living being much lower than the rest of the country, many prospective homebuyers look to Clarksville, Tennessee for a place to call home.

If Clarksville is your top choice for a new home, contact The Ashton Real Estate Group of RE/MAX Advantage with Nashville's MLS at (615) 603-3602 to speak to a Clarksville real estate agent and get started finding your Clarksville dream home.