Clearwater FL vs Santa Rosa CA — 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 70.3% | 31.9% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 2.1% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 16.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $720,443 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 41.2% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.8% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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