Clearwater FL vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 35.1 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 5.9% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 11.7% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.6% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 8.0% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $39,575 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $24,029 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,052 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 14.1% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 31.5% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 17.6% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Detroit
49.7%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 49.7% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Detroit
1590
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 471 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1590 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 45.6% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.2% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 22.6% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 21.8% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 50.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Detroit
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 27.3 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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