Clearwater FL vs New Orleans LA — 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%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 38.4 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 6.6% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 31.6% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.8% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 7.9% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $55,339 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $39,698 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $55,297 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.8% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 22.6% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 50.5% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 643 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2824 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 34.0% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.1% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.4% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.7% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.5% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Clearwater +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 66.6 in | Clearwater + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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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