Clearwater FL vs Huntsville AL — 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%
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Huntsville
58.4%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Huntsville
8.1%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 36.4 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 6.6% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 58.4% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.0% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 8.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $51,690 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Huntsville
58.1%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $288,707 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 58.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Huntsville
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Huntsville
1734
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 400 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1734 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 40.7% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Huntsville
54.3 in
Huntsville +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 62.1°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 54.3 in | Huntsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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