Albany NY 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)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
Albany
100,081
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Clarksville
6.8%
White
Albany
53.0%
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Clarksville
23.0%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Clarksville
2.5%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 171,897 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 30.4 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 6.8% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 59.4% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 26.6% | 23.0% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.5% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 12.5% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Clarksville
$31,266
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Clarksville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Clarksville
30.6%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $66,786 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $31,266 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,097 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 6.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 12.8% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 30.6% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $320,241 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 56.6% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Clarksville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Clarksville
2350
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 639 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2350 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Clarksville
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Clarksville
11.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Clarksville
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Clarksville
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Clarksville
16.5%
Clarksville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Clarksville
16.2%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 39.3% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.0% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 21.4% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.4% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.5% | Clarksville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.2% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Clarksville
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Clarksville
51.0 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 59.2°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 51.0 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Clarksville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Clarksville
28.2 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.2 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Clarksville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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