Clarksville TN vs Columbia MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Clarksville, TN

Tennessee · Population: 171,897

  • Median HH Income$66,786
  • Median Home Price$320,241
  • Unemployment6.0%
  • Bachelor's+30.6%

Columbia, MO

Missouri · Population: 127,200

  • Median HH Income$64,488
  • Median Home Price$323,876
  • Unemployment3.9%
  • Bachelor's+56.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Columbia
12.1%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Columbia
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Columbia
$323,876
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Columbia
49.4%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Clarksville +
Columbia
2418

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Clarksville +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
Columbia
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +

Which City is Right for You?

Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Clarksville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.

Compare More Cities

About Clarksville & Columbia