Clarksville TN vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clarksville
171,897
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Clarksville +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Clarksville +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 34.9 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 59.4% | 39.1% | Clarksville + |
| Black | 23.0% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 11.6% | Clarksville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Clarksville +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Clarksville +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Clarksville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 14.5% | Clarksville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Clarksville +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Clarksville +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $580,173 | Clarksville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 41.1% | Clarksville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Clarksville +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 24.0% | Clarksville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Clarksville +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 32.8 min | Clarksville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while clarksville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $320,241. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Clarksville. Clarksville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
Compare More Cities
Clarksville, TN vs New York, NYClarksville, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Clarksville, TNClarksville, TN vs Houston, TXClarksville, TN vs Phoenix, AZClarksville, TN vs Philadelphia, PA