Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Clarksville
171,897
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Clarksville
6.8%
Clarksville +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Clarksville
23.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Clarksville
2.5%
Clarksville +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 171,897 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 30.4 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 6.8% | Clarksville + |
| White | 25.6% | 59.4% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 67.1% | 23.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.5% | Clarksville + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 12.5% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Clarksville
$31,266
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Clarksville
30.6%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $66,786 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $31,266 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,097 | Clarksville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 12.8% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 30.6% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Clarksville
$320,241
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $320,241 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 56.6% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Clarksville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Clarksville
2350
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 639 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2350 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Clarksville
39.3%
Clarksville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Clarksville
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Clarksville
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Clarksville
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Clarksville
16.2%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.3% | Clarksville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 21.4% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.4% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.5% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.2% | Clarksville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Clarksville
51.0 in
Clarksville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 59.2°F | Clarksville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 51.0 in | Clarksville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Clarksville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Clarksville
28.2 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 28.2 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Clarksville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clarksville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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