Salary Needed to Live in Clarksville as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $52,892/year to live comfortably in Clarksville, TN, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $52,892/year to live comfortably in Clarksville, TN. The bare-minimum salary is $45,840/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,232.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,865/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,408/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$52,892
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$45,840
$3,820/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,865
20% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Clarksville
| Expense | Clarksville | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $915 | $1,351 | -32% |
| Groceries | $224 | $207 | +8% |
| Utilities | $118 | $169 | -30% |
| Transportation | $247 | $316 | -22% |
| Car Insurance | $142 | $223 | -36% |
| Health Insurance | $651 | $672 | -3% |
| Internet | $57 | $65 | -12% |
| Phone | $75 | $85 | -12% |
| Dining & Social | $264 | $300 | -12% |
| Entertainment | $106 | $120 | -12% |
| Personal Care | $66 | $75 | -12% |
| Total Monthly | $2,865 | $3,583 | -20% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,865
Target savings (10%):$367/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,232
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$52,892
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$915
Studio/1BR rent is 32% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus TN state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$367/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
88/100
Clarksville is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $915/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $568/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $45,840/year as the survival floor and $52,892/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Clarksville
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Clarksville?
A single person needs approximately $52,892/year ($4,408/month gross) to live comfortably in Clarksville with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Clarksville?
A studio/1br in Clarksville costs approximately $915/month, which is the largest single expense at 32% of the total budget.
Is Clarksville affordable for a single person?
Yes, Clarksville is 20% more affordable than the national average for a single person.