Clearwater FL vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 9.3% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 63.7% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 4.2% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $64,137 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,080 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 19.5% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 47.2% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1613 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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 Philadelphia, PA