Cost of Living in Clearwater, FL
Updated November 2026 · Pinellas County · Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area · population 117,247
Prices in Clearwater are 1.6% above the US average (local index 101.6; the BEA index for the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area is 100.9), with local housing the biggest cost driver at 123.9; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,862 a month and the median rent is $1,658.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Clearwater's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area, unchanged.
Clearwater price index by category, US average = 100: All items 101.6, Housing (rents) 123.9, Goods 95.5, Utilities 88.5, Other services 97.6
It is the 56th most expensive of the 81 Florida cities in our data. Cheaper than 52% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 96.5 | 101.3 | 98.8 | 99.9 | 102.5 | 100.9 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Clearwater, FL
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,209 | $14,508 | 42% |
| Utilities | $256 | $3,072 | 9% |
| Food at home | $269 | $3,228 | 9% |
| Transportation | $624 | $7,488 | 22% |
| Health care | $343 | $4,116 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $161 | $1,932 | 6% |
| Total | $2,862 | $34,344 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Clearwater, FL
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,527 | $18,324 | 33% |
| Utilities | $404 | $4,848 | 9% |
| Food at home | $497 | $5,964 | 11% |
| Transportation | $1,237 | $14,844 | 27% |
| Health care | $636 | $7,632 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $316 | $3,792 | 7% |
| Total | $4,617 | $55,404 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Clearwater, FL
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,780 | $21,360 | 32% |
| Utilities | $493 | $5,916 | 9% |
| Food at home | $709 | $8,508 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,641 | $19,692 | 29% |
| Health care | $592 | $7,104 | 11% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $408 | $4,896 | 7% |
| Total | $5,623 | $67,476 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Clearwater
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,373 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,394 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,761 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,052 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,289 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,658 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $1,438 |
| Median home value | $361,300 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,908/mo |
| Median household income | $66,381 |
| Rent as % of renter income Very expensive | 37.9% |
| Home value ÷ household income Expensive | 5.4× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Florida
14.99¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: −2.2% (from 15.33¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 1,097 kWh a month in Florida ≈ $169/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline
$3.79 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +30.3% (from $2.91) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey.
Inflation in the South
Consumer prices in the South Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Clearwater are 1.6% above the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $59,000 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 101.6. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largo, FL | 5 mi | 101.1 | $2,938 | $1,618 |
| Palm Harbor, FL | 7 mi | 103.7 | $3,035 | $1,806 |
| Pinellas Park, FL | 9 mi | 101.3 | $2,505 | $1,631 |
| Town 'n' Country, FL | 12 mi | 102.7 | $3,118 | $1,734 |
| St. Petersburg, FL | 17 mi | 101.7 | $2,903 | $1,663 |
| Tampa, FL | 18 mi | 102.2 | $2,964 | $1,701 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino, CA | 101.7 | $2,893 | $1,508 |
| McMinnville, OR | 101.7 | $2,717 | $1,380 |
| Bakersfield, CA | 101.7 | $2,746 | $1,472 |
| Cranston, RI | 101.6 | $2,743 | $1,375 |
| North Las Vegas, NV | 101.7 | $2,765 | $1,705 |
| Medford, OR | 101.6 | $2,692 | $1,376 |
Compare Clearwater with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Clearwater, FL an expensive place to live?
Clearwater has a local cost of living index of 101.6, which is 1.6% above the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area (100.9) and adjusts housing to Clearwater's own rents. It is 1.8 points below the Florida average. It is the 56th most expensive of the 81 Florida cities in our data. Cheaper than 52% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Clearwater?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,862 for a single adult, $4,617 for a couple and $5,623 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $61,000 in Clearwater.
What is the average rent in Clearwater?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,658 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $1,394, 2 bedrooms $1,761, 3 bedrooms $2,052. The typical renter spends 37.9% of household income on rent (very expensive).
How much does a house cost in Clearwater?
The median owner-estimated home value is $361,300, 5.4 times the median household income of $66,381 (expensive). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,908 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Clearwater?
Florida residential electricity averaged 14.99¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $3.79 a gallon (Florida average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 100.9) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 1212875 (Clearwater city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Florida residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Florida, week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U South region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources