Clarksville TN vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Clarksville +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.5 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 59.4% | 43.2% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.1% | Clarksville + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 10.3% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $62,671 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 18.8% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $374,265 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 43.5% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.3% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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