Baton Rouge LA 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)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
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
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Clarksville
171,897
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Clarksville
6.8%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Clarksville
23.0%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Clarksville
2.5%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 171,897 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 30.4 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 59.4% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 51.0% | 23.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 12.5% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Clarksville
$31,266
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Clarksville
30.6%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $66,786 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $31,266 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,097 | Clarksville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 12.8% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 30.6% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Clarksville
$320,241
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $320,241 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 56.6% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Clarksville
639
Clarksville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Clarksville
2350
Clarksville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 639 | Clarksville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2350 | Clarksville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Clarksville
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Baton Rouge +
Clarksville
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Clarksville
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Clarksville
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Clarksville
16.2%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 39.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 21.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Clarksville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Clarksville
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Clarksville
51.0 in
Clarksville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 51.0 in | Clarksville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Clarksville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Clarksville
28.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 28.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Clarksville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Clarksville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Clarksville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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