Clarksville TN vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Clarksville +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 100,731 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.0 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 59.4% | 57.5% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 6.0% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.5% | Clarksville + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Clarksville +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $56,025 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $30,475 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.6% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 19.9% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 16.8% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $439,767 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 40.0% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Clarksville +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Clarksville +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.2% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 22.0% | Clarksville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 21.4% | Clarksville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Clarksville +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 51.9 in | Clarksville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Clarksville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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