Clearwater FL vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 11.2% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 69.7% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 4.4% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.5% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $39,586 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 31.5% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $435,670 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.1% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Mesa
71.8°F
Mesa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 71.8°F | Mesa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 26.7 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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