Clarksville TN vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 147,649 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.5 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 59.4% | 55.5% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 21.8% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Clarksville +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $53,328 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $30,409 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.6% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 21.9% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 23.2% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 53.8% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Clarksville +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Clarksville +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 44.7% | Clarksville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.4% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.0% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.1% | Clarksville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Clarksville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Clarksville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clarksville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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