Bakersfield CA 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)
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
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
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Clarksville
171,897
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Clarksville
6.8%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Clarksville
2.5%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Clarksville
12.5%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 171,897 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 30.4 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 6.8% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 59.4% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 6.2% | 23.0% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 12.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Clarksville
$66,786
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Clarksville
$31,266
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Clarksville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $66,786 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $31,266 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,097 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 6.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.8% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 30.6% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Clarksville
56.6%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $320,241 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 56.6% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Bakersfield +
Clarksville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Clarksville
2350
Clarksville +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 639 | Bakersfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2350 | Clarksville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Clarksville
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bakersfield +
Clarksville
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Clarksville
16.5%
Clarksville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Clarksville
16.2%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.3% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 21.4% | Bakersfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.4% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.5% | Clarksville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.2% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Clarksville
51.0 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 59.2°F | Clarksville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 51.0 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Clarksville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Clarksville
28.2 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.2 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Bakersfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Clarksville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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