Clarksville TN vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.3 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 59.4% | 35.5% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 22.9% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $62,894 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.7% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 19.7% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 42.0% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Clarksville +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.9% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 24.0% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.7% | Clarksville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 48.7 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Clarksville +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 29.6 min | Clarksville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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