2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Clearwater

Florida (FL)

Best for: Retirees, families and remote workers who want Gulf beaches, healthcare, short commutes and access to the Tampa Bay metro.

2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents

Modern Livability80.6/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population114,364

Median Home$361,300

Median Rent$1,658

Median Household Income$66,381

Cost of Living~100.0 (US=100; 2024 MSA)

Average Commute22.7 min

Unemployment~4.4% metro (Jul 2026)

Metro AreaTampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

80.6overall

Housing & Financial Reality62.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living75.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability72.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity79.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness88.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place94.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion66.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape94.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging88.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment81.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture88.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity87.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionModerate. US-19 and bridge approaches are the main trouble spots, while shorter local commutes help offset regional congestion.

Weekend EscapeOutstanding. Clearwater Beach, Honeymoon Island, Caladesi Island, the Pinellas Trail and Tampa Bay recreation are all close.

WalkabilityAbout 42/100 citywide Walk Score. Some neighborhoods are meaningfully more walkable than the citywide number suggests, but a car remains useful for many trips.

Airport AccessExcellent. St. Pete-Clearwater International is nearby and Tampa International provides a larger route network across the bay.

Outdoor AccessExceptional. Beaches, the Pinellas Trail, boating, paddling and year-round waterfront recreation are central lifestyle advantages.

Healthcare AccessExcellent. Morton Plant Hospital is a major local hospital backed by the BayCare network.

Air QualityGenerally favorable with Gulf breezes, though red tide, humidity, ozone and storm-related conditions can periodically reduce comfort.

Third Places / Social LifeVery good. Beach districts, downtown redevelopment, cafés, parks, events and the broader Pinellas social scene provide abundant options.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Stable

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Clearwater stands out in the 2027 MNM Livability Index for beaches; healthcare; commute; airport options; outdoor recreation; tampa bay access. The city does not score well simply because of one headline statistic: its profile reflects housing, everyday ease, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure together. The clearest tradeoffs are storm and flood exposure; insurance; tourist traffic; us-19 congestion; housing costs have risen.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Clearwater feels split between beach-resort energy and everyday Pinellas County life. Residents can access major recreation quickly without giving up regional services.

STRENGTHS