Clearwater FL vs Grand Rapids MI — 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 11.3% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 61.0% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.9% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 16.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $33,953 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,052 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.0% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 18.6% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 54.6% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
1590
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 471 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1590 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 36.4% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.9% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.6% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. 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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