Birmingham vs Clearwater
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Birmingham
Clearwater
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 15.5%, with Birmingham being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Birmingham has equivalent purchasing power to $88,793 in Clearwater.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has the same purchasing power as $88,793 in Clearwater.
Conversely, $75,000 in Clearwater equals $63,350 in Birmingham.
Living in Birmingham vs Clearwater
Housing Costs
Birmingham's housing index of 67 is lower Clearwater's 115, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $385,000. The $220,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,304 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Birmingham compared to $1,625/mo in Clearwater, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Birmingham and 102 in Clearwater. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Birmingham vs $485/month in Clearwater. Birmingham offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Birmingham and 101 in Clearwater. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Birmingham vs $404 in Clearwater. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Birmingham and 92 in Clearwater. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $38,178 in Birmingham and $66,400 in Clearwater. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,883 and $64,466 respectively. Clearwater residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $891/month to housing in Birmingham vs $1,549/month in Clearwater. In Birmingham, median rent of $1,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Clearwater, median rent of $1,625/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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