Clearwater FL vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 36.4 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 12.2% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 51.2% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 12.0% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Jacksonville
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $37,269 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 31.9% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 57.4% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Jacksonville
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Jacksonville
1453
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Jacksonville
13.9%
Jacksonville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 34.8% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.8% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Jacksonville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 70.2°F | Jacksonville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 50.0 in | Jacksonville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 26.0 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville 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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