Clearwater FL vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 12.2% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 59.4% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 13.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.3% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $496,966 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 56.5% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 383 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3409 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 37.3% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.7% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 31.1 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. 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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