Clarksville TN vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 44,998 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 57.8 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 59.4% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 23.0% | 5.4% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Palmdale
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.2% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 13.7% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $503,393 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Palmdale
503
Palmdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Clarksville +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Palmdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Clarksville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.8% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.7% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 63.5°F | Clarksville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Palmdale 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 Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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