Clearwater FL vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 70.3% | 49.1% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.9% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $708,498 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 47.5% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1524 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Stamford
53.2 in
Stamford +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 53.2 in | Stamford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 30.1 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. 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, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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