Clarksville TN vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Clarksville +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 135,887 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.8 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 59.4% | 24.8% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 17.1% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.8% | Clarksville + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Clarksville +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Elizabeth
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $63,874 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $28,490 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.9% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.3% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 14.2% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $531,592 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 25.4% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.7% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 28.1% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.0% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Clarksville +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 29.3 min | Clarksville + |
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, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Clarksville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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