Clearwater FL vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Fort Lauderdale +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 42.9 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 70.3% | 51.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.6% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.3% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $510,297 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 53.8% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Fort Lauderdale
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Clearwater +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Clearwater +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 75.5°F | Clearwater + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 66.5 in | Clearwater + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 28.5 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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