Clearwater FL vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Gainesville
12.1%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Gainesville
59.2%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Gainesville
13.4%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 12.1% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 59.2% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 13.4% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Gainesville
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Gainesville
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $45,611 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $30,282 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.8% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 28.0% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 38.5% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Gainesville
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Gainesville
1453
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gainesville, 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%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 21.3% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.9% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.8% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Gainesville
68.9°F
Gainesville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 68.9°F | Gainesville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 47.3 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville 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 Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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