Clearwater FL vs Des Moines IA — 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%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Des Moines
14.0%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Des Moines
66.9%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Des Moines
16.0%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 14.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 66.9% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 16.0% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Des Moines
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $63,966 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $36,459 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,226 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.8% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 29.0% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 39.4% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.0% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.8% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.4% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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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