Clearwater FL vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 26,509 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 38.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 7.1% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 10.2% | 3.6% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 3.9% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $344,633 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1992 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 36.4% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.0% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 28.3 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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