Clearwater FL vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 70.3% | 40.7% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $36,694 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $64,538 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.4% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 20.1% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $429,449 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 41.2% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 34.4% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.6% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 27.4 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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