Clearwater FL vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Madison
11.6%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 11.6% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 10.2% | 7.1% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 9.3% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,837 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 16.2% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $429,253 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 46.6% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.8% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Madison, WI | 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
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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