Clearwater FL vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
West Palm Beach
40.2
West Palm Beach +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 40.2 | West Palm Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 70.3% | 44.0% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.5% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.4% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $399,650 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 50.2% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
West Palm Beach
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
West Palm Beach
1453
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | West Palm Beach, 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%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.9% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Clearwater +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Clearwater +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 75.4°F | Clearwater + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 62.3 in | Clearwater + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | West Palm Beach, 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
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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