Cost of Living: Clearwater, FL vs Dearborn, MI (2026)

Clearwater

Florida
105
VS

Dearborn

Michigan
79

Clearwater is 33% more expensive than Dearborn.

$1,539/mo ↑ 22%
Median Rent
$1,264/mo ↓ 18%
$64,440/yr ↓ 1%
Median Income
$65,192/yr ↑ 1%
$326,100 ↑ 58%
Home Value
$205,900 ↓ 37%
$1,411/mo ↑ 20%
Owner Costs
$1,174/mo ↓ 17%
117,075
Population
107,846

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.38%

Affordability

28.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Clearwater, FL and Dearborn, MI, the overall cost of living indices are 105 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $275/month cheaper in Dearborn, saving renters about $3,300/year.

Median household income is $752/year higher in Dearborn. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Clearwater is $326,100 compared to $205,900 in Dearborn.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Clearwater residents a significant tax advantage over Michigan's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clearwater vs Dearborn — common questions

Is Clearwater or Dearborn cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dearborn is cheaper to live in with an index of 79 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Clearwater and Dearborn?
Median rent in Clearwater is $1,539/month and in Dearborn it's $1,264/month — a difference of $275/month.
Which city has higher income, Clearwater or Dearborn?
Median household income is $64,440 in Clearwater and $65,192 in Dearborn. Median household income is $752/year higher in Dearborn.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Michigan?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Michigan has 4.25% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.38% property tax.
Should I move to Clearwater or Dearborn?
It depends on your priorities. Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with median rent of $1,539/mo, while Dearborn has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,264/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Clearwater details → View Dearborn details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Clearwater and Dearborn

Clearwater vs. North Charleston Clearwater vs. Lakeland Clearwater vs. Cambridge Clearwater vs. The Woodlands Clearwater vs. Richardson Clearwater vs. Evansville Dearborn vs. Sparks Dearborn vs. Riverview Dearborn vs. South Fulton Dearborn vs. Tyler Dearborn vs. Greeley Dearborn vs. Tuscaloosa