Clarksville TN vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Clarksville +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Clarksville +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 71,455 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.1 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 4.6% | Clarksville + |
| White | 59.4% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 23.0% | 6.3% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.0% | Clarksville + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 5.6% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Johnson City
$59,097
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $55,429 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,097 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 21.1% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $294,254 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 49.8% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Johnson City
639
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Johnson City
2350
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 639 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2350 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Johnson City
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Clarksville +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.7% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.4% | Clarksville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Johnson City, TN | 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
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Johnson City is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
Compare More Cities
Clarksville, TN vs New York, NYClarksville, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Clarksville, TNClarksville, TN vs Houston, TXClarksville, TN vs Phoenix, AZClarksville, TN vs Philadelphia, PA