Clearwater FL vs Dayton 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%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 136,741 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 5.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 51.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.2% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 5.5% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $43,454 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $26,381 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,300 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 9.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 27.1% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 20.7% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 48.2% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Dayton
1866
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1866 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 42.9% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.6% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 21.6% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.2% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 20.5% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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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