Clearwater FL vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 71,124 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 8.3% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 32.4% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.6% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 11.8% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $55,269 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $38,786 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $64,087 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.6% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 23.2% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 46.0% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 394 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1991 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 41.0% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.0% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.4% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.4% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 394 in Wilmington. 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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