Clearwater FL vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 14.6% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 36.1% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 15.2% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $60,698 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $37,669 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,080 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 8.4% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 22.0% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 52.3% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1613 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 34.5 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
Compare More Cities
Clearwater, FL vs New York, NYClearwater, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Clearwater, FLClearwater, FL vs Houston, TXClearwater, FL vs Phoenix, AZClearwater, FL vs San Antonio, TX