Clearwater FL vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Clearwater
117,075
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 70.3% | 58.0% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $35,825 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.4% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 19.8% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $435,532 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 42.4% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 35.3% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.9% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.5% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Worcester, MA | 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
Clearwater +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 27.3 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, 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 326 in Worcester. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Worcester 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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