Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Clearwater
117,075
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Clearwater
70.3%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 117,075 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 46.4 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 17.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 83.6% | 70.3% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 10.2% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.6% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Clearwater
$64,440
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Clearwater
$42,934
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Clearwater
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Clearwater
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Clearwater
32.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $64,440 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $42,934 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $65,328 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.7% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.4% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 32.5% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Clearwater
59.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $341,503 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 59.1% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Clearwater
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Clearwater
1453
| Metric | Boise, ID | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 324 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1453 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Clearwater
33.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Clearwater
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Clearwater
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Clearwater
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Clearwater
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Clearwater
14.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 73.8°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 54.7 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Clearwater
25.3 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 25.3 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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