Clearwater FL vs Colorado Springs CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Colorado Springs
7.4%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 483,099 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 35.6 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 7.4% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 72.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 10.2% | 5.8% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.0% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $83,198 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $44,893 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,653 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.5% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 41.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $451,202 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 61.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Colorado Springs
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Colorado Springs
3234
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 512 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3234 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Colorado Springs
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 28.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.0% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.5% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 49.0°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 16.5 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 24.1 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, 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 512 in Colorado Springs. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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