City Comparison

Clearwater vs Denton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clearwater

Florida
103
Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$66,400
Median Income

Denton

Texas
108
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$73,700
Median Income

The Verdict

4.6%

Living in Clearwater costs 4.6% less than Denton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Clearwater, you would need $78,641 in Denton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
115
Clearwater
126
Denton
Groceries
102
Clearwater
98
Denton
Utilities
101
Clearwater
90
Denton
Transportation
100
Clearwater
87
Denton
Healthcare
92
Clearwater
81
Denton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clearwater has the same purchasing power as $78,641 in Denton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Denton equals $71,528 in Clearwater.

Living in Clearwater vs Denton

Housing Costs

Clearwater's housing index of 115 is lower Denton's 126, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $385,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Clearwater compared to $1,425/mo in Denton, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Clearwater and 98 in Denton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Clearwater vs $466/month in Denton. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 101 in Clearwater and 90 in Denton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Clearwater vs $360 in Denton. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Clearwater and 81 in Denton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $66,400 in Clearwater and $73,700 in Denton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,466 and $68,241 respectively. Denton residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,549/month to housing in Clearwater vs $1,720/month in Denton. In Clearwater, median rent of $1,625/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clearwater is 4.6% more affordable overall with an index of 103 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Clearwater has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,641 in Denton, based on the cost of living difference.
Clearwater's housing index is 115 with median homes at $385,000, while Denton's is 126 with median homes at $385,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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