Clearwater FL vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 135,887 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 70.3% | 24.8% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.8% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $63,874 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $28,490 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.9% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 14.2% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $531,592 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 25.4% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Elizabeth
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 34.8% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 28.1% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.0% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elizabeth, NJ | 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
Clearwater +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 29.3 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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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