Clearwater FL vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 11.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 69.9% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 9.2% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $42,272 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $52,606 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.0% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 15.7% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 53.6% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Lexington
1505
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1505 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 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).
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