Clarksville TN vs Memphis 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Clarksville +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.3 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 59.4% | 25.0% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.7% | Clarksville + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 10.2% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Memphis
$59,097
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $51,211 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,097 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.3% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 22.5% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 28.2% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 46.0% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Memphis
639
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Memphis
2350
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Memphis, 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%
Clarksville +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Memphis
20.7%
Memphis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Clarksville +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 42.1% | Clarksville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 17.6% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 20.7% | Memphis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.9% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.9% | Clarksville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Clarksville +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 60.9°F | Clarksville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 54.9 in | Clarksville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Memphis, 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
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Memphis is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Clarksville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Memphis 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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