Clearwater FL vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 127,200 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 8.1% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 10.2% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 4.3% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $64,488 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $37,359 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,527 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 20.0% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 49.4% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 501 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2418 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.1% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.5% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 56.0°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 46.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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