Clearwater FL vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 70.3% | 16.5% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.9% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $48,416 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $25,509 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 10.9% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 24.7% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 17.4% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $482,675 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 24.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 35.9% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.6% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 20.0% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 23.4% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.2% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 35.9 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. 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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