Clarksville TN vs Lake Charles LA — 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Clarksville +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 81,679 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 36.2 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 4.7% | Clarksville + |
| White | 59.4% | 47.3% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 4.7% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $56,864 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $55,297 | Clarksville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 23.2% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 29.4% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Clarksville +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Clarksville +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 643 | Clarksville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2824 | Clarksville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Clarksville +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Clarksville +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 45.6% | Clarksville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.2% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.0% | Clarksville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Clarksville +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 62.4 in | Clarksville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lake Charles, LA | 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
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Clarksville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clarksville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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