Clearwater FL vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Kent
14.1%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Kent
67.2%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 84,389 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 14.1% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 67.2% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 2.3% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.9% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $35,662 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.9% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 27.0% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $657,911 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 383 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3409 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.2% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.7% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 383 in Kent. 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, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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