Clarksville TN vs Knoxville 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Knoxville
33.3
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Clarksville +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 33.3 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 7.0% | Knoxville + |
| White | 59.4% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 15.7% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Clarksville + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 7.5% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Knoxville
$59,097
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $50,994 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $33,171 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,097 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 20.5% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $371,202 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 46.6% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Knoxville
639
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Knoxville
2350
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Knoxville, 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%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Clarksville +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Clarksville +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.6% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 22.0% | Clarksville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.9% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.8% | Clarksville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Clarksville +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 51.9 in | Clarksville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Knoxville, 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
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Knoxville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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