City Comparison

Clearwater vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Clearwater

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

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

2.8%

Clearwater is 2.8% less expensive than Warwick overall. A household earning $75,000 in Clearwater would need approximately $77,184 in Warwick to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Clearwater
127
Warwick
Groceries
102
Clearwater
102
Warwick
Utilities
101
Clearwater
112
Warwick
Transportation
100
Clearwater
105
Warwick
Healthcare
92
Clearwater
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Clearwater vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Clearwater's housing index of 115 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $413,000. The $28,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,824 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 Warwick, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Clearwater and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Clearwater vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Clearwater vs $448 in Warwick. 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 103 in Warwick. 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 $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,466 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick 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 $1,741/month in Warwick. In Clearwater, median rent of $1,625/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 12 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 Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Clearwater's housing index is 115 with median homes at $385,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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