Clarksville TN vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 117,460 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.3 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 59.4% | 39.1% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $62,789 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $54,550 | Clarksville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.5% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 28.0% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 48.5% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Clarksville +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.2% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.3% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.8% | Clarksville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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