Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Bellevue +
Clearwater
117,075
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Bellevue +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Clearwater
17.0%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Clearwater
3.6%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 117,075 | Bellevue + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 46.4 | Bellevue + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 17.0% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 70.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 2.2% | 10.2% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 3.6% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Clearwater
$64,440
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Clearwater
$42,934
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Clearwater
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Clearwater
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Clearwater
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Clearwater
32.5%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $64,440 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $42,934 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $65,328 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 4.7% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 15.4% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 32.5% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $341,503 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 59.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 324 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Clearwater
33.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Clearwater
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Clearwater
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Clearwater
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Clearwater
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Clearwater
14.0%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 33.3% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 13.5% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.8% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 14.7% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 14.0% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 25.3 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Bellevue. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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