Clarksville TN vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Clarksville +
Independence
5.3%
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Clarksville +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 121,944 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 38.4 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 5.3% | Clarksville + |
| White | 59.4% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 23.0% | 10.8% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.4% | Clarksville + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 12.4% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $59,480 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,527 | Clarksville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.3% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 20.9% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Independence
501
Independence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Clarksville +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 501 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2418 | Clarksville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Clarksville +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Clarksville +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.9% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.9% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.8% | Clarksville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.4% | Clarksville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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