Clearwater FL vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 8.6% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 43.2% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.1% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 10.3% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $62,671 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.0% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 18.8% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $374,265 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 43.5% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 36.7% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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