Clarksville TN vs Columbia SC — 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, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Clarksville +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 138,019 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 5.1% | Clarksville + |
| White | 59.4% | 49.9% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 5.7% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $55,653 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $54,550 | Clarksville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.6% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 23.3% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 47.3% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Clarksville +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.1% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.2% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.2% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.7% | Clarksville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 66.7°F | Clarksville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 46.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Clarksville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
Compare More Cities
Clarksville, TN vs New York, NYClarksville, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Clarksville, TNClarksville, TN vs Houston, TXClarksville, TN vs Phoenix, AZClarksville, TN vs Philadelphia, PA