City Comparison
Clearwater vs Pompano Beach
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Clearwater scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clearwater
Pompano Beach
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Clearwater is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Pompano Beach.
Housing costs are a major driver: Clearwater's average rent is
17% lower than Pompano Beach's.
| Metric | Clearwater | Pompano Beach | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $2,100 | -17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $460 | -9% |
| Utilities | $175 | $195 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $130 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $260 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,700 | $3,145 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pompano Beach offers 2% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Clearwater delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Clearwater is estimated at
$54,000 vs $58,000 in Pompano Beach.
| Metric | Clearwater | Pompano Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $64,500 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,765 idx | 59,722 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $66,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.5°F of each other.
For sunshine, Clearwater comes out ahead with 44 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Clearwater | Pompano Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 73.40°F | 76.90°F |
| Summer High | 88.90°F | 88.90°F |
| Winter Low | 54.10°F | 63.90°F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | 54.50 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 231 | 187 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Clearwater has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Pompano Beach.
Clearwater scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Clearwater leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Clearwater | Pompano Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 53.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Clearwater is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Pompano Beach is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Clearwater | Pompano Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,292 | 112,088 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 43.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clearwater
Advantages
Home to Clearwater Beach, consistently ranked among the top beaches in the United States by TripAdvisor.
Abundant sunshine averaging 231 sunny days per year with warm winters averaging a low of 54.1°F.
World-class healthcare access anchored by Morton Plant Hospital and the extensive BayCare Health System.
No state personal income tax in Florida, providing financial relief for residents and retirees.
Vibrant outdoor lifestyle with extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, and park recreation.
Drawbacks
High homeowners insurance rates and vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes along the coast.
Significant seasonal traffic congestion, particularly along routes leading to Clearwater Beach.
Higher-than-average housing and rental costs driven by strong coastal real estate demand.
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited heavy rail public transit options.
Summer heat and humidity can be intense during peak months from June through September.
Pompano Beach
Advantages
Extensive oceanfront access with world-class offshore coral reef diving and fishing opportunities backed by official Florida tourism data.
Median home purchase prices remain more accessible compared to immediate coastal neighbors like Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton per Zillow market reports.
Thriving marine and boating industry providing stable local employment and specialized economic resilience.
Ongoing downtown and beachfront revitalization projects have significantly increased dining, arts, and entertainment options.
Favorable winter climate with average winter lows around 63.9°F and nearly 187 sunny days per year.
Drawbacks
High property and homeowner insurance costs across South Florida impact overall housing affordability.
Significant car dependency with average traffic congestion along major north-south corridors like U.S. 1 and I-95.
Vulnerability to extreme weather events and tropical storms during the Atlantic hurricane season.
Seasonal traffic increases and population influx during peak winter months ('snowbird' season).
Uneven pedestrian and transit scores outside of the immediate downtown and beachfront zones.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Clearwater
#350Florida, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
231/yr
Avg Temp
73.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
Business
70
Pompano Beach
#448Florida, USA
55.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$64,500
Cost Index
108
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
53.0/100
Sunny Days
187/yr
Avg Temp
76.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
75
Business
70
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