Clarksville TN vs Gastonia NC — 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%
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina · Population: 81,632
- Median HH Income$60,554
- Median Home Price$279,838
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+27.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Clarksville +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 81,632 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.2 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 59.4% | 55.2% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.2% | Clarksville + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 11.4% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $60,554 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 14.3% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 27.7% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 54.2% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.5% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.5% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 60.5°F | Clarksville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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