Clarksville TN vs Elgin IL — 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%
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 114,106 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 36.3 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 59.4% | 45.4% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 5.2% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.3% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 26.0% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $333,920 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Clarksville +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.1% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.8% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.1% | Clarksville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Clarksville +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 30.4 min | Clarksville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Elgin 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, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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