Clearwater FL vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
New York
38.0
New York +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
New York
35.9%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 38.0 | New York + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 70.3% | 35.9% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 17.4% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $816,078 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 32.8% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
New York
1736
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 434 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1736 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.9% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
New York
46.6 in
New York +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 46.6 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 44.2 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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