Median rent is 9% lower in Fort Worth ($1,509/mo vs $1,658/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Worth, where the median home runs $303,000 versus $361,300. Households earn more in Fort Worth ($79,507 vs $66,381 a year). Taken together, Clearwater is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 102.5 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Fort Worth, TX.
City A
Clearwater, FL
City B
Fort Worth, TX
How much would you need to earn in Fort Worth, TX to maintain your standard of living from Clearwater, FL?
Equivalent salary in Fort Worth, TX
$75,012
You'd need $12 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Clearwater
Florida
Fort Worth
Texas
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Fort Worth at $1,509/mo compared to $1,658/mo in Clearwater (9% gap). Median home values are within 16% of each other: $361,300 in Clearwater and $303,000 in Fort Worth.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Clearwater
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Fort Worth
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Fort Worth if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,507/yr).
Is Clearwater cheaper than Fort Worth?
Clearwater is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Clearwater.
How much is rent in Clearwater vs Fort Worth?
Median rent is $1,658/mo in Clearwater, FL and $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX. Fort Worth, TX has the lower rent by about 9%.
Which has higher salaries — Clearwater or Fort Worth?
Median household income is $66,381 in Clearwater, FL and $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX. Fort Worth, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Clearwater or Fort Worth?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Fort Worth to match my Clearwater income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Clearwater, FL is equivalent to roughly $100,017 in Fort Worth, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
