Cost of Living: Clearwater, FL vs Lowell, MA (2026)

Clearwater

Florida
105
VS

Lowell

Massachusetts
119

Clearwater is 12% cheaper than Lowell.

$1,539/mo ↓ 4%
Median Rent
$1,603/mo ↑ 4%
$64,440/yr ↓ 15%
Median Income
$76,205/yr ↑ 18%
$326,100 ↓ 17%
Home Value
$395,100 ↑ 21%
$1,411/mo ↓ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,672/mo ↑ 18%
117,075
Population
114,799

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
9.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.15%

Affordability

28.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Clearwater, FL and Lowell, MA, the overall cost of living indices are 105 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $64/month cheaper in Clearwater, saving renters about $768/year.

Median household income is $11,765/year higher in Lowell. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Clearwater is $326,100 compared to $395,100 in Lowell.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Clearwater residents a significant tax advantage over Massachusetts's 9.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clearwater vs Lowell — common questions

Is Clearwater or Lowell cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 119 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Clearwater and Lowell?
Median rent in Clearwater is $1,539/month and in Lowell it's $1,603/month — a difference of $64/month.
Which city has higher income, Clearwater or Lowell?
Median household income is $64,440 in Clearwater and $76,205 in Lowell. Median household income is $11,765/year higher in Lowell.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Massachusetts?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax.
Should I move to Clearwater or Lowell?
It depends on your priorities. Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with median rent of $1,539/mo, while Lowell has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,603/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Clearwater details → View Lowell details →

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