What it's like to live in Clearfield
Clearfield is a small city in Utah with crime rates well below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and a population that has grown fast since 2020. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Clearfield deals with air quality that falls short of national benchmarks, larger class sizes than the national average, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, and cold winters.
The good
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Fast-growing population
The not so good
- Air quality concerns
- High student-teacher ratio
- High rent burden for renters
- Cold winters
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Clearfield compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Clearfield
Based on Clearfield's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$3,158
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $63,160 a year
- 51% of Clearfield renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$74,780
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $37,390
- Homes cost 5.0× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▲ 12% above US
$1,579/mo median rent
Rent is pretty middle of the road, at $1,579 a month median. Not a bargain, not a budget-buster. About typical for a city this size. Home prices run above average, with a median around $373,900. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $373,900 · 51% of renters cost-burdened
Job marketNear US average
3.9% unemployment
Unemployment here is 3.9%, close to the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▼ 44% below US
183 violent crimes per 100k
Pretty safe, all things considered. Violent crime sits below the national average, nothing alarming, just ordinary city-life awareness.
Property crime 884/100k · Clearfield Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 16% below US
22 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 21.8 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 13% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 86°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 21°F and snow a regular occurrence.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▼ 36% below US
23% bachelor's degree or higher
College degree attainment runs below average at 23%. That tends to reflect a more trade and working-class economy, which can be great or limiting depending on the industry.
Schools
8 public schools inside the boundary
There are 8 public schools inside the boundary. The student-to-teacher ratio is 23:1, above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Golden Spike National Historical Park (44 miles away). There are 3 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Clearfield's strongest points are crime rates well below the national average and commutes that run shorter than most cities; the main tradeoffs are air quality that falls short of national benchmarks and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin. A year of median rent ($1,579/mo) equals 25% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit anyone prioritizing low crime and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Clearfield
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