Clearwater FL vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 70.3% | 38.7% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 2.0% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 11.3% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.5% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $1,566,872 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 43.8% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Irvine, 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%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Irvine
65.3°F
Irvine +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 65.3°F | Irvine + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Irvine, 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 +
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 26.0 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. 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, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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