Clarksville TN vs Columbus GA — 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%
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Columbus
35.1
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Clarksville +
Columbus
5.3%
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Columbus
39.3%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Columbus
8.3%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 204,383 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.1 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 5.3% | Clarksville + |
| White | 59.4% | 39.3% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 46.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 8.3% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Columbus
$56,622
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
Columbus
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Columbus
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Columbus
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
Columbus
29.7%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $56,622 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $32,811 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,405 | Clarksville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 18.8% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 29.7% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Columbus
50.2%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $175,194 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 50.2% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 392 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1752 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Clarksville +
Columbus
40.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Columbus
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Columbus
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 40.3% | Clarksville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.5% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.1% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.8% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.1% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Columbus
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Columbus
49.6 in
Columbus +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 64.4°F | Clarksville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 49.6 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 21.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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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