Clearwater FL vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Lee's Summit
38.6
Lee's Summit +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 102,583 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 38.6 | Lee's Summit + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 4.2% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 10.2% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.9% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 5.3% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,527 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $313,200 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 501 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2418 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.5% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | 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 +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 26.9 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while lee's Summit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,200. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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