Clearwater vs Tampa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Clearwater
Tampa
💡 The Verdict
Tampa is 6% cheaper than Clearwater overall. A $75,000 salary in Clearwater is equivalent to $70,833 in Tampa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Clearwater (left) vs Tampa (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Clearwater versus Tampa. Differences shown from Clearwater perspective.
| Item | Clearwater | Tampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,350/mo | $1,210/mo | +$140.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,810/mo | $1,700/mo | +$110.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,320/mo | $2,230/mo | +$90.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.83 | $2.84 | $-0.01 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.16 | $4.00 | +$0.16 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.24 | $3.89 | $-0.65 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.90 | $6.15 | $-0.25 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.51 | $3.34 | +$0.17 |
| Restaurant Meal | $16.28 | $18.85 | $-2.57 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Clearwater has the same purchasing power as $70,833 in Tampa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tampa equals $79,412 in Clearwater.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
Both states have similar effective tax rates on this salary level. Florida details → · Florida details →
Reading These Numbers: Clearwater (108) vs Tampa (102)
Clearwater at 108 is 8% above the US average, while Tampa at 102 is 2% above average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Clearwater, the composite index of 108 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 130, followed by groceries (107), utilities (100), transportation (111), and healthcare (107). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $1,810/mo in Clearwater and $1,700/mo in Tampa, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,320.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,600.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $77,000.0 difference in median home prices between Clearwater and Tampa translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Clearwater vs Tampa
Choosing between Clearwater and Tampa involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Clearwater versus Tampa depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.