Clarksville TN vs Murfreesboro 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%
Murfreesboro, TN
Tennessee · Population: 40,828
- Median HH Income$107,847
- Median Home Price$427,410
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 40,828 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 39.1 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 59.4% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 23.0% | 7.7% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 7.4% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,097 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $427,410 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Murfreesboro
639
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Murfreesboro
2350
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Murfreesboro, 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%
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Murfreesboro
20.4%
Murfreesboro +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 37.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 20.4% | Murfreesboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Clarksville +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 53.4 in | Clarksville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Murfreesboro, 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
Clarksville +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 33.8 min | Clarksville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Murfreesboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Murfreesboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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