Clarksville TN vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.4 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 59.4% | 50.8% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 4.7% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Modesto
13.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.3% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 13.0% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 20.3% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $447,353 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Modesto
503
Modesto +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Clarksville +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Modesto + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Clarksville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Modesto
16.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.1% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 63.7°F | Clarksville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Clarksville +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 30.5 min | Clarksville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Modesto is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Clarksville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
Compare More Cities
Clarksville, TN vs New York, NYClarksville, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Clarksville, TNClarksville, TN vs Houston, TXClarksville, TN vs Phoenix, AZClarksville, TN vs Philadelphia, PA