Clearwater vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Clearwater
Wilmington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 1.0%, with Clearwater being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Clearwater has equivalent purchasing power to $75,728 in Wilmington.
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 $75,728 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $74,279 in Clearwater.
Living in Clearwater vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Clearwater's housing index of 115 is higher Wilmington's 104, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $235,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Clearwater compared to $1,200/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Clearwater and 103 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Clearwater vs $489/month in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Clearwater vs $424 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Clearwater and 106 in Wilmington. 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 $46,520 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,466 and $44,731 respectively. Clearwater residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,549/month to housing in Clearwater vs $1,085/month in Wilmington. In Clearwater, median rent of $1,625/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. 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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