Clearwater FL vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 12.1% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 51.9% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 10.3% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $45,845 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $27,570 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.4% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 29.6% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 30.5% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 41.3% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 434 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1736 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 41.5% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 20.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.1% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. 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, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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