Clearwater FL vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 8.3% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 41.5% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.2% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $46,628 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $30,451 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.9% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 26.6% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 29.9% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 37.2% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 434 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1736 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 38.0% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.3% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.6% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. 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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