Clarksville TN vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.1 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 59.4% | 53.6% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $62,995 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,697 | Clarksville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.7% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 55.3% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 25.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Clarksville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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