Clearwater FL vs Huntington Beach CA — 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%
Huntington Beach, CA
California · Population: 196,010
- Median HH Income$119,885
- Median Home Price$1,364,265
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+47.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Huntington Beach
43.4
Huntington Beach +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Huntington Beach
16.4%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 196,010 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 43.4 | Huntington Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 16.4% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 64.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 1.3% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 19.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.4% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 47.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Huntington Beach
55.8%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $1,364,265 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 55.8% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Huntington Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Huntington Beach
2388
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntington Beach, CA | 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 +
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 31.2 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. 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, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
Compare More Cities
Clearwater, FL vs New York, NYClearwater, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Clearwater, FLClearwater, FL vs Houston, TXClearwater, FL vs Phoenix, AZClearwater, FL vs Philadelphia, PA