Clearwater FL vs El Paso TX — 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 70.3% | 39.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 3.6% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.5% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
El Paso
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $58,734 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $28,942 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.2% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 18.4% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 27.5% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
El Paso
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
El Paso
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
El Paso
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
El Paso
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 33.8% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.4% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.2% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 27.9% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.5% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 64.3°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
El Paso
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 25.1 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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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