Clearwater FL vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Portland
38.6
Portland +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Portland
12.4%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 38.6 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 12.4% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 70.1% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 5.8% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 11.3% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,691 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.5% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $538,687 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 52.8% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 355 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3001 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.3% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.7% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Clearwater +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 78.3 in | Clearwater + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 26.5 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. 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, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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