Clearwater vs Hampton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Clearwater
Hampton
The Verdict
Living in Hampton costs 17.0% less than Clearwater. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Clearwater, you would need $64,078 in Hampton.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Clearwater has the same purchasing power as $64,078 in Hampton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $87,784 in Clearwater.
Living in Clearwater vs Hampton
Housing Costs
Clearwater's housing index of 115 is higher Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $243,000. The $142,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,228 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Clearwater compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Clearwater and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Clearwater vs $447/month in Hampton. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 101 in Clearwater and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Clearwater vs $408 in Hampton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Clearwater and 106 in Hampton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,466 and $67,500 respectively. Hampton 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 $1,386/month in Hampton. In Clearwater, median rent of $1,625/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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