C

Clarksville, TN

Source:

Affordability Score: 57/100

Population: 151,785 · 3 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Clarksville, TN aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes covering 151,785 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C (57/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $76,143, median home value of $282,774, median rent of $1,282 per month, and 31.0% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,346 per month (studio $1,090, 1BR $1,094, 3BR $1,871, 4BR $2,258). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $11,007 per year, consuming 14% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Clarksville, TN include rent. Unemployment currently reads 4.6% and poverty 11.4% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C+
$76,143
Median household income
Education C-
31.0%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing D
3.7x
Home value $282,774 vs income
Commute D
28 min
Average commute time
Rent B+
$1,346/mo
2BR fair market rent (21% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare C-
$11,007/yr
Center-based infant care (14% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$76,143
▲ 23% vs national
Per Capita Income
$34,722
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Poverty Rate
11.4%

Housing

Median Home Value
$282,774
▲ 3% vs national
Median Rent
$1,282/mo
Owner Occupied
61.5%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,346/mo
▲ 12% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,090
1BR
$1,094
2BR
$1,346
3BR
$1,871
4BR
$2,258

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
31.0%
▲ 1 ppt vs national
High School+
58.0%
Median Age
32.2
Avg. Commute
28 min
▲ 2 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$11,007/yr
14% of income
Toddler (Center)
$7,610/yr
Preschool (Center)
$7,610/yr
School-Age (Center)
$3,969/yr

What This Means

Clarksville, TN receives an overall affordability grade of C (57/100), aggregated from 3 ZIP codes with a total population of 151,785. This area performs well in rent. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Clarksville ZIP Codes
View all 3 ZIP codes with demographics and individual scorecards
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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Clarksville, TN affordable?
Clarksville, TN receives an overall affordability grade of C (57/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $76,143. Median home value is $282,774.
What is the cost of living in Clarksville?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $1,282/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,346/mo. Infant childcare $11,007/yr. Median home value $282,774.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →