Clarksville TN vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 59.4% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 23.0% | 7.8% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 16.2% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $468,328 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 41.6% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Clarksville +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.3% | Clarksville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 71.3°F | Clarksville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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