Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Clarksville
30.4
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Clarksville
6.8%
White
Athens
57.6%
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Clarksville
23.0%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Clarksville
2.5%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 171,897 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 30.4 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 6.8% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 59.4% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 26.2% | 23.0% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.5% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 12.5% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Clarksville
$31,266
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Clarksville
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Clarksville
30.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $66,786 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $31,266 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,097 | Clarksville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.0% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 12.8% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 30.6% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $320,241 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 56.6% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Clarksville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Clarksville
2350
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 639 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2350 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Clarksville
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Clarksville
11.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Clarksville
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Clarksville
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Clarksville
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Clarksville
16.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Clarksville
51.0 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 59.2°F | Clarksville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 51.0 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Clarksville
28.2 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 28.2 min | Athens + |
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, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Clarksville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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