salaryRent is higher than in 75% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.0 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $86,720 a year. That is $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Florida cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Florida. It is number 312 of 479 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Clearwater?
Share of households by yearly income. 23.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Clearwater
| Size | Clearwater | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,445 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,467 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,853 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,159 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,408 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Clearwater overall?
Everyday prices in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area are 1% above the U.S. average (index 100.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Clearwater
Life in Clearwater
What jobs pay in Clearwater
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $137,990 | 18.9% |
| Software Developer | $130,450 | 19.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,120 | 20.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,820 | 20.4% |
| Lawyer | $127,490 | 20.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,080 | 24.8% |
| Operations Manager | $103,670 | 25.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,570 | 25.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,870 | 27.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $85,470 | 30.4% |
| Accountant | $78,990 | 32.9% |
| Police Officer | $75,710 | 34.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $75,210 | 34.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,490 | 41.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,120 | 43.3% |
| Firefighter | $59,660 | 43.6% |
| Electrician | $57,450 | 45.3% |
| Carpenter | $52,130 | 49.9% |
| Plumber | $52,000 | 50.0% |
| Truck Driver | $50,560 | 51.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $50,540 | 51.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,480 | 58.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,660 | 61.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,570 | 69.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,470 | 69.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,070 | 70.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,010 | 70.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,790 | 77.0% |
| Cashier | $30,290 | 85.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Clearwater?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $339 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $361,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $36,130 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Clearwater, FL?
Renting in Clearwater costs a median of about $2,168 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Florida median is $1,963.
How much do I need to make to live in Clearwater?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $86,720 a year, or $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Clearwater cheap or expensive?
Clearwater is rated Expensive: rent takes 36.3% of the typical household income of $71,592. It ranks 312th cheapest of 479 Florida cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Clearwater?
The median homeowner in Clearwater pays $2,625 a year in property taxes, about 0.73% of the median home value.
Is Clearwater more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 1% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Clearwater?
The median home value in Clearwater is $361,300, about 5.0 times the typical yearly household income.
117,247 people live in Clearwater. Numbers are typical (middle) values.