Clearwater FL vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Ontario
138,723
Ontario +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Ontario
53.6%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 138,723 | Ontario + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 36.9 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 70.3% | 53.6% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 1.6% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Ontario
58.1%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $671,948 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 58.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Ontario
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Ontario
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 33.6% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 17.0% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.7% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Ontario
65.5°F
Ontario +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 65.5°F | Ontario + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 28.2 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 503 in Ontario. Ontario 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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