Clarksville TN vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.7 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 59.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 23.0% | 1.6% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 14.7% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $438,754 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 55.7% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Clarksville +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3001 | Clarksville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Clarksville +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 41.4% | Clarksville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.7% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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