Clearwater FL vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 4.8% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 10.2% | 1.6% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.1% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 9.5% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,074 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $534,732 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.6% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Meridian, ID | 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 +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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