Clarksville TN vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.2 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 59.4% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 23.0% | 14.4% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 9.2% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $52,606 | Clarksville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.7% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $332,727 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 53.6% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lexington, KY | 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
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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