Clearwater FL vs McKinney TX — 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
McKinney
3.0%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 148,848 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 33.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 70.3% | 37.8% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 24.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.0% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
McKinney
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
McKinney
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $71,843 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $29,291 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.8% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 18.5% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $487,346 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
McKinney
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
McKinney
2339
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
McKinney
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 33.9% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.3% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
McKinney
64.2°F
McKinney +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
McKinney
40.0 in
McKinney +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 64.2°F | McKinney + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 40.0 in | McKinney + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
McKinney
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 35.6 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, 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 442 in McKinney. 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, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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