Clearwater FL vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 13.7% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 58.2% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 5.0% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.1% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $54,546 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $31,152 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.4% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 18.8% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 30.2% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 51.7% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 33.5% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.3% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.7% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Tucson
69.8°F
Tucson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 69.8°F | Tucson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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