Cost of Living: Clearwater, FL vs High Point, NC (2026)

Clearwater

Florida
105
VS

High Point

North Carolina
73

Clearwater is 44% more expensive than High Point.

$1,539/mo ↑ 45%
Median Rent
$1,062/mo ↓ 31%
$64,440/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$61,228/yr ↓ 5%
$326,100 ↑ 54%
Home Value
$212,400 ↓ 35%
$1,411/mo ↑ 30%
Owner Costs
$1,084/mo ↓ 23%
117,075
Population
115,263

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

28.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Clearwater, FL and High Point, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 105 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $477/month cheaper in High Point, saving renters about $5,724/year.

Median household income is $3,212/year higher in Clearwater. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Clearwater is $326,100 compared to $212,400 in High Point.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Clearwater residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clearwater vs High Point — common questions

Is Clearwater or High Point cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, High Point is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Clearwater and High Point?
Median rent in Clearwater is $1,539/month and in High Point it's $1,062/month — a difference of $477/month.
Which city has higher income, Clearwater or High Point?
Median household income is $64,440 in Clearwater and $61,228 in High Point. Median household income is $3,212/year higher in Clearwater.
How do taxes compare between Florida and North Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Clearwater or High Point?
It depends on your priorities. Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with median rent of $1,539/mo, while High Point has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,062/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Clearwater details → View High Point details →

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