Baltimore MD vs Clearwater FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Clearwater
117,075
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Clearwater
10.2%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 117,075 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 46.4 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 17.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 27.4% | 70.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 60.0% | 10.2% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.6% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Clearwater
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Clearwater
32.5%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $64,440 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $42,934 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $65,328 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 15.4% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 32.5% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Clearwater
$341,503
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $341,503 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 59.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 324 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Clearwater
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 33.3% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.5% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.7% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.6% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.0% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 73.8°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 54.7 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.3 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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