Clearwater FL vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 70.3% | 28.7% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.8% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 15.6% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $664,939 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 28.8% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jersey City, NJ | 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 +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 40.3 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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