Clarksville TN vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Clarksville +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 141,925 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 59.4% | 54.0% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 20.4% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.0% | Clarksville + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Clarksville +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Clarksville +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Clarksville +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $51,468 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $28,819 | Clarksville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 24.0% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 28.6% | Clarksville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 48.9% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.0% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 20.4% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Clarksville +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 66.6°F | Clarksville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clarksville leads in median household income at $66,786, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Clarksville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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