Clearwater FL vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 94,723 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 10.3% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 10.2% | 0.8% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.5% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 11.3% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $60,713 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $672,082 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1931 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
Compare More Cities
Clearwater, FL vs New York, NYClearwater, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Clearwater, FLClearwater, FL vs Houston, TXClearwater, FL vs Phoenix, AZClearwater, FL vs Philadelphia, PA