Buffalo NY 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)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Clarksville
171,897
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Clarksville
6.8%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Clarksville
23.0%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Clarksville
2.5%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Clarksville
12.5%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 171,897 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 30.4 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 6.8% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 59.4% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 32.9% | 23.0% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.5% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 12.5% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Clarksville
$31,266
Clarksville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Clarksville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $66,786 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $31,266 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,097 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 12.8% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 30.6% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Clarksville
$320,241
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $320,241 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 56.6% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Clarksville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Clarksville
2350
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 639 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2350 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Clarksville
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Clarksville
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Clarksville
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Clarksville
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Clarksville
16.2%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 39.3% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 21.4% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.5% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Clarksville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Clarksville
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Clarksville
51.0 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 59.2°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 51.0 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Clarksville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Clarksville
28.2 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 28.2 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Clarksville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
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