Clearwater FL vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Plano
39.3
Plano +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 39.3 | Plano + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 70.3% | 53.2% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 9.0% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 16.2% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $507,575 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 56.6% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 27.6 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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