Clearwater FL vs Lakeland 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Clearwater +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 82,506 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 48.4 | Clearwater + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 12.9% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 10.2% | 8.8% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 14.4% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Lakeland
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $60,465 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $36,322 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 26.8% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Lakeland
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Lakeland
1453
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lakeland, 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 +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 38.9% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.3% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.4% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.1% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Lakeland
72.6°F
Lakeland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Clearwater +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 72.6°F | Lakeland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 54.8 in | Clearwater + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lakeland, 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 +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 25.6 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland 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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