Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Clarksville
171,897
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Clarksville
6.8%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Clarksville
23.0%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Clarksville
2.5%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Clarksville
12.5%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Clarksville
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 171,897 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 30.4 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 6.8% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 59.4% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 28.4% | 23.0% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.5% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 12.5% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Clarksville
$66,786
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Clarksville
$31,266
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Clarksville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Clarksville
30.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $66,786 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $31,266 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,097 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.8% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 30.6% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $320,241 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 56.6% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Clarksville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Clarksville
2350
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 639 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2350 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Clarksville
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Clarksville
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Clarksville
16.5%
Clarksville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Clarksville
16.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 39.3% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 21.4% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.4% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.5% | Clarksville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.2% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Clarksville
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Clarksville
51.0 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 59.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 51.0 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Clarksville
28.2 min
Clarksville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Clarksville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 28.2 min | Clarksville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX