Clearwater FL vs Columbus OH — 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Columbus
14.4%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Columbus
53.3%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Columbus
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 14.4% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 53.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 7.9% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Columbus
$37,189
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Columbus
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Columbus
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Columbus
17.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $65,327 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $37,189 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,300 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.1% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 17.8% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 38.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 44.3% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Columbus
1866
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1866 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Columbus
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Columbus
15.2%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 34.7% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.1% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.2% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 40.2 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 23.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus 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%.
Compare More Cities
Clearwater, FL vs New York, NYClearwater, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Clearwater, FLClearwater, FL vs Houston, TXClearwater, FL vs Phoenix, AZClearwater, FL vs Philadelphia, PA