Clarksville TN vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Clarksville +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.2 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 59.4% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 23.0% | 4.4% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.5% | Clarksville + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $435,670 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 71.8°F | Clarksville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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