Clarksville TN vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 133,473 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 41.5 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 59.4% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 23.0% | 6.6% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 2.4% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Clarksville +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,052 | Clarksville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.5% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | 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
Clarksville +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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