Clarksville TN vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Paterson
N/A
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 59.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 23.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $527,542 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Clarksville +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.1% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 28.6% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Clarksville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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