Median rent is 0% lower in Clearwater ($1,658/mo vs $1,663/mo). Buying is cheaper in Clearwater, where the median home runs $361,300 versus $371,100. Households earn more in St. Petersburg ($75,192 vs $66,381 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (102.5).
City A
Clearwater, FL
City B
St. Petersburg, FL
How much would you need to earn in St. Petersburg, FL to maintain your standard of living from Clearwater, FL?
Equivalent salary in St. Petersburg, FL
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Clearwater
Florida
St. Petersburg
Florida
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,658/mo in Clearwater and $1,663/mo in St. Petersburg. Median home values are within 3% of each other: $361,300 in Clearwater and $371,100 in St. Petersburg.
Metric
Clearwater
St. Petersburg
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · 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
St. Petersburg
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for St. Petersburg (avg AQI 56.0) but not yet for Clearwater.
Pick St. Petersburg if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,192/yr).
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.
Median rent is $1,658/mo in Clearwater, FL and $1,663/mo in St. Petersburg, FL. Clearwater, FL has the lower rent by about 0%.
Median household income is $66,381 in Clearwater, FL and $75,192 in St. Petersburg, FL. St. Petersburg, FL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Clearwater, FL is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in St. Petersburg, FL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
