Brownsville TX 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)
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Clarksville
171,897
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Clarksville
6.8%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Clarksville
2.5%
Clarksville +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Clarksville
12.5%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 171,897 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 30.4 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 6.8% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 59.4% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 23.0% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.5% | Clarksville + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 12.5% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Clarksville
$31,266
Clarksville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Clarksville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $66,786 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $31,266 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 6.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 12.8% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 30.6% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Clarksville
$320,241
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Clarksville
56.6%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $320,241 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 56.6% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Clarksville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Clarksville
2350
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Clarksville
39.3%
Clarksville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Clarksville
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Clarksville
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Clarksville
16.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 39.3% | Clarksville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 11.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 21.4% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 12.4% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.5% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.2% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Clarksville
51.0 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 59.2°F | Clarksville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 51.0 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Clarksville
28.2 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 28.2 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. 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, Clarksville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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