Clearwater FL vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 98,677 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 7.5% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 57.5% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.1% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 8.6% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $52,671 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $34,792 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.5% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 19.7% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 28.9% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 51.7% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 41.9% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.9% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.4% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.7% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Roanoke, 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
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke 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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