Clarksville TN vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Clarksville +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 36.2 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 5.5% | Clarksville + |
| White | 59.4% | 27.7% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 4.8% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $55,687 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $51,690 | Clarksville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 20.9% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 54.3% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Clarksville +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 46.4% | Clarksville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.7% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Clarksville +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 64.5°F | Clarksville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 52.8 in | Clarksville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Clarksville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clarksville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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