Clearwater FL vs Garland 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%
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 245,298 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 34.7 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 70.3% | 37.5% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 15.3% | Garland + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Garland
$31,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Garland
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Garland
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Garland
25.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $74,717 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $31,477 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.9% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 25.0% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $289,605 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 61.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Garland
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Garland
2339
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Garland, 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 +
Garland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Garland
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Garland
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 34.7% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.0% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.3% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 22.6% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.1% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.1% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Garland
69.1°F
Garland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Garland
49.5 in
Garland +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 69.1°F | Garland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 49.5 in | Garland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Garland
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Garland, 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
Clearwater +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 32.5 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. 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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