Clearwater FL vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 149,827 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 1.5% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 14.5% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 0.3% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 2.2% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $43,238 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $26,868 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $46,995 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 9.4% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 26.8% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 28.6% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 48.6% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Jackson
1808
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1808 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 46.0% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.4% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.3% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.1% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 64.6°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 54.1 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Jackson
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. 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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