Clearwater FL vs Durham NC — 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Durham
15.3%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Durham
14.7%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 34.8 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 15.3% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 44.0% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 14.7% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Durham
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Durham
51.8%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $399,509 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 51.8% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Durham
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Durham
1999
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Durham
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Durham
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 36.8% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 57.9°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 47.8 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Durham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 24.3 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, 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 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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