Clearwater FL vs Denver 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Denver
13.9%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Denver
62.9%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 13.9% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 62.9% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 8.8% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $541,899 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 49.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Denver, 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%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Denver
13.3%
Denver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.3% | Denver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 25.9% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 27.4 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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