Clarksville TN vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 153,455 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 35.1 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 59.4% | 30.4% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 1.5% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $2,144,024 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 43.8% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Sunnyvale
503
Sunnyvale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Clarksville +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Sunnyvale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Clarksville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Sunnyvale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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