Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Clearwater
117,075
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Clearwater
10.2%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 117,075 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 46.4 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 17.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 49.4% | 70.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 38.7% | 10.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.6% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Clearwater
32.5%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $64,440 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $42,934 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,328 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 15.4% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 32.5% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Clearwater
$341,503
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $341,503 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 59.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Clearwater
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Clearwater
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 33.3% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.5% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.6% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.0% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 73.8°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 54.7 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Clearwater
25.3 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 25.3 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. 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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