City Comparison

Clearwater vs Fishers

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clearwater

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

Fishers

Indiana
106
Above Average
$391,000
Median Home
$1,475/mo
Median Rent
$130,200
Median Income

The Verdict

2.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.8%, with Clearwater being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Clearwater has equivalent purchasing power to $77,184 in Fishers.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Clearwater
120
Fishers
Groceries
102
Clearwater
99
Fishers
Utilities
101
Clearwater
100
Fishers
Transportation
100
Clearwater
102
Fishers
Healthcare
92
Clearwater
99
Fishers

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Clearwater has the same purchasing power as $77,184 in Fishers.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fishers equals $72,877 in Clearwater.

Living in Clearwater vs Fishers

Housing Costs

Clearwater's housing index of 115 is lower Fishers's 120, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $391,000. The $6,000 difference in home prices means roughly $396 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Clearwater compared to $1,475/mo in Fishers, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Clearwater and 99 in Fishers. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Clearwater vs $470/month in Fishers. 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 100 in Fishers. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Clearwater vs $400 in Fishers. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Clearwater and 99 in Fishers. 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 $66,400 in Clearwater and $130,200 in Fishers. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,466 and $122,830 respectively. Fishers 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 $3,038/month in Fishers. In Clearwater, median rent of $1,625/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Fishers, median rent of $1,475/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 7 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clearwater is 2.8% more affordable overall with an index of 103 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Clearwater has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,184 in Fishers, based on the cost of living difference.
Clearwater's housing index is 115 with median homes at $385,000, while Fishers's is 120 with median homes at $391,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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