Cost of Living: Clearwater, FL vs East Los Angeles, CA (2026)

Clearwater

Florida
105
VS

East Los Angeles

California
134

Clearwater is 22% cheaper than East Los Angeles.

$1,539/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,431/mo ↓ 7%
$64,440/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$68,378/yr ↑ 6%
$326,100 ↓ 47%
Home Value
$613,600 ↑ 88%
$1,411/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,458/mo ↑ 3%
117,075
Population
114,617

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

28.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Clearwater, FL and East Los Angeles, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 105 and 134 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $108/month cheaper in East Los Angeles, saving renters about $1,296/year.

Median household income is $3,938/year higher in East Los Angeles. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Clearwater is $326,100 compared to $613,600 in East Los Angeles.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Clearwater residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clearwater vs East Los Angeles — common questions

Is Clearwater or East Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Clearwater and East Los Angeles?
Median rent in Clearwater is $1,539/month and in East Los Angeles it's $1,431/month — a difference of $108/month.
Which city has higher income, Clearwater or East Los Angeles?
Median household income is $64,440 in Clearwater and $68,378 in East Los Angeles. Median household income is $3,938/year higher in East Los Angeles.
How do taxes compare between Florida and California?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Clearwater or East Los Angeles?
It depends on your priorities. Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with median rent of $1,539/mo, while East Los Angeles has a cost index of 134 with rent of $1,431/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Clearwater details → View East Los Angeles details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Clearwater and East Los Angeles

Clearwater vs. North Charleston Clearwater vs. Lakeland Clearwater vs. Cambridge Clearwater vs. The Woodlands Clearwater vs. Richardson Clearwater vs. Evansville East Los Angeles vs. Lowell East Los Angeles vs. Carlsbad East Los Angeles vs. League City East Los Angeles vs. Waterbury East Los Angeles vs. High Point East Los Angeles vs. Provo