Abilene TX vs Clarksville TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Abilene, TX

Texas · Population: 127,130

  • Median HH Income$62,720
  • Median Home Price$214,916
  • Unemployment2.7%
  • Bachelor's+27.1%

Clarksville, TN

Tennessee · Population: 171,897

  • Median HH Income$66,786
  • Median Home Price$320,241
  • Unemployment6.0%
  • Bachelor's+30.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Abilene
127,130
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Clarksville
6.8%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Clarksville
59.4%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Clarksville
2.5%
Clarksville +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Clarksville
12.5%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Clarksville
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Clarksville
$31,266
Clarksville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Clarksville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Clarksville
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Clarksville
$320,241
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Clarksville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Clarksville
2350

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Clarksville
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Clarksville
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Clarksville
16.5%
Clarksville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Clarksville
16.2%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Clarksville
51.0 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Clarksville
28.2 min

Which City is Right for You?

Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Abilene is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Clarksville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Abilene & Clarksville