Clearwater FL vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 7.7% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 44.0% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 9.9% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $64,017 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $37,433 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.1% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 17.3% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 45.7% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 39.9% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.4% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 50.8 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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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