Cost of Living: Clearwater, FL vs Murrieta, CA (2026)

Clearwater

Florida
105
VS

Murrieta

California
175

Clearwater is 40% cheaper than Murrieta.

$1,539/mo ↓ 34%
Median Rent
$2,330/mo ↑ 51%
$64,440/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$109,780/yr ↑ 70%
$326,100 ↓ 46%
Home Value
$606,900 ↑ 86%
$1,411/mo ↓ 41%
Owner Costs
$2,380/mo ↑ 69%
117,075
Population
111,621

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
25.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Clearwater, FL and Murrieta, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 105 and 175 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $791/month cheaper in Clearwater, saving renters about $9,492/year.

Median household income is $45,340/year higher in Murrieta. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Clearwater is $326,100 compared to $606,900 in Murrieta.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Clearwater vs Murrieta — common questions

Is Clearwater or Murrieta cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 175 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Clearwater and Murrieta?
Median rent in Clearwater is $1,539/month and in Murrieta it's $2,330/month — a difference of $791/month.
Which city has higher income, Clearwater or Murrieta?
Median household income is $64,440 in Clearwater and $109,780 in Murrieta. Median household income is $45,340/year higher in Murrieta.
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 Murrieta?
It depends on your priorities. Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with median rent of $1,539/mo, while Murrieta has a cost index of 175 with rent of $2,330/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Clearwater details → View Murrieta details →

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