Clarksville TN vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Clarksville +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Clarksville +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.1 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 5.9% | Clarksville + |
| White | 59.4% | 11.7% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Clarksville + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 8.0% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Clarksville +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $39,575 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $24,029 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,052 | Clarksville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 14.1% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 31.5% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 17.6% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Detroit
49.7%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 49.7% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 471 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Clarksville +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Clarksville +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Clarksville +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 45.6% | Clarksville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 19.2% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 22.6% | Clarksville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 21.8% | Clarksville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 50.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
Detroit
55.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 27.3 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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