Clearwater FL vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 8.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 50.7% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 8.6% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $55,931 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $35,704 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.5% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 23.2% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 39.5% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Tallahassee
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Tallahassee
1453
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 34.1% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 20.3% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Tallahassee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Clearwater +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 67.6°F | Tallahassee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 58.1 in | Clearwater + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tallahassee, FL | 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
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tallahassee 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%.
Compare More Cities
Clearwater, FL vs New York, NYClearwater, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Clearwater, FLClearwater, FL vs Houston, TXClearwater, FL vs Phoenix, AZClearwater, FL vs Philadelphia, PA