Clarksville TN vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.7 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 59.4% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 8.6% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $64,731 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $52,606 | Clarksville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 16.1% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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