Clearwater FL vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 10.2% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 40.8% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.8% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $51,339 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $27,054 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 8.2% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 25.3% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 19.7% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 49.5% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Springfield
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 39.6% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.8% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 21.1% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.5% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Springfield. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Springfield 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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