Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Clearwater, FL
VS
Modesto, CA
🏆 Clearwater leads 17 of 22 categories
Clearwater
Florida
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,358
Violent Crime Index
104⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
116,984
Modesto
California
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Clearwater, FL
Pros
40% less violent crime than Modesto
Homes cost $94k less ($287,900 vs $381,800)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (4.7%)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 31.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 56°F
Cons
Median income trails Modesto by $14,017/yr
Modesto, CA
Pros
Households earn $14,017 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 4.7%)
Longer commutes — 29.4 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Clearwater
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 103.4 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Clearwater
Violent Crime
40% lower
395.5 vs 655.7 per 100k
Clearwater
Median Home Value
$94k less
$287,900 vs $381,800
Clearwater
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
4.7% vs 7.8% unemployment
Modesto
Median Income
$14,017
$73,375 vs $59,358/yr
Modesto
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 90.3°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 105.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $287,900 ✓ Lower | $381,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,389⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,497⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,358 | $73,375 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.8 min ✓ Shorter | 29.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 16.4% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 99 ✓ Safer | 150⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 104⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) ✓ Better | C- (65) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.9% ✓ Higher | 19.7% |
| High School or Higher | 90.8% ✓ Higher | 83.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | PINELLAS | Modesto City Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer | 56.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.3°F | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 56.1" | 12.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 116,984 | 218,308 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 46.0 ✓ Older | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% ✓ Higher | 57.7% |
| Under 18 | 17.6% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 23.5% ✓ More | 13.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Clearwater's cost of living index is 103.4 vs Modesto's 105.0 (US average = 100).
Clearwater is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Clearwater leads 17 of 22 categories. Clearwater wins 17 and Modesto wins 5. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Clearwater to Modesto or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($287,900 vs $381,800 median home), income ($59,358 vs $73,375), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Clearwater, FL and Modesto, CA are about 2,301 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.