Clearwater FL vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 15.4% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 10.2% | 2.7% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $60,713 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $580,126 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 46.8% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1931 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.2% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.0% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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