Chicago
Illinois
Pop. 2,721,914
VS
Clarksville
Tennessee
Pop. 167,882

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

63
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
75
Overall Score /100
Wins 4 of 7 categories
Clarksville wins 4–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Clarksville wins 1–4 overall (75/100)
💰 Clarksville is more affordable
💼 Clarksville has lower unemployment
🛡️ Chicago has fewer disasters

📋 Chicago vs Clarksville — The Verdict

Clarksville scores 75.8/100 compared to Chicago's 63/100, winning 4 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Clarksville has a clear edge with home prices 30% lower. Clarksville may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Clarksville are 30% lower — a difference of $91,300 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Clarksville saves you $195/month — that's $2,340 per year.
💵
Households in Chicago earn $8,985 more per year (14% higher median income).
📊
Clarksville has a 1.0 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🌬️
Clarksville has cleaner air with an AQI 51 points lower — particularly important for people with respiratory conditions.
🛡️
Chicago has experienced 4 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Chicago vs Clarksville: Cost of Living Comparison
65
vs
90
Median Home Value
$304,500
$213,200
Median Rent /mo
$1,314
$1,119
Median Income
$71,673
$62,688
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Clarksville offers home prices 30% lower than Chicago, translating to $91,300 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Chicago vs Clarksville: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
70
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
3.6%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Both cities offer competitive employment, with Clarksville having a slight edge at 3.6% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
🌡️ Chicago vs Clarksville: Weather & Climate
50
vs
40
Summer High
°F
8.8°F
Winter Low
°F
1.8°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
0.5"
Annual Snow
"
0.3"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Chicago vs Clarksville: Air Quality & Environment
70
vs
100
Air Quality (AQI)
60
9 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Clarksville wins on air quality with an AQI 51 points lower. For allergy sufferers, families with young children, or anyone with respiratory concerns, this difference is medically significant.
🌐 Chicago vs Clarksville: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Chicago vs Clarksville: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
10
14
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
Low
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.

❓ Moving from Chicago to Clarksville: Common Questions

Is Chicago or Clarksville cheaper to live in?
Clarksville is more affordable overall. Home prices are $91,300 lower in Clarksville. Monthly rent is $1,119 in Clarksville vs $1,314 in Chicago.
Does Chicago or Clarksville have better weather?
Chicago scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 40/100).
Is Chicago or Clarksville better for finding a job?
Clarksville currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.6% in Chicago vs 3.6% in Clarksville. Median household income is $71,673 in Chicago and $62,688 in Clarksville.
Which city is safer — Chicago or Clarksville?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Chicago is safer. Chicago has had 10 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 14 in Clarksville. Chicago scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Clarksville.
Should I move from Chicago to Clarksville?
Based on our data, Clarksville scores 75.8/100 vs Chicago's 63.0/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Clarksville is more affordable, while Chicago has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.