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

Clearwater

Florida
105
VS

Santa Maria

California
137

Clearwater is 23% cheaper than Santa Maria.

$1,539/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$1,842/mo ↑ 20%
$64,440/yr ↓ 24%
Median Income
$84,617/yr ↑ 31%
$326,100 ↓ 32%
Home Value
$478,200 ↑ 47%
$1,411/mo ↓ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,789/mo ↑ 27%
117,075
Population
109,880

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Clearwater, FL and Santa Maria, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 105 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $303/month cheaper in Clearwater, saving renters about $3,636/year.

Median household income is $20,177/year higher in Santa Maria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Clearwater is $326,100 compared to $478,200 in Santa Maria.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Clearwater vs Santa Maria — common questions

Is Clearwater or Santa Maria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 137 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Clearwater and Santa Maria?
Median rent in Clearwater is $1,539/month and in Santa Maria it's $1,842/month — a difference of $303/month.
Which city has higher income, Clearwater or Santa Maria?
Median household income is $64,440 in Clearwater and $84,617 in Santa Maria. Median household income is $20,177/year higher in Santa Maria.
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 Santa Maria?
It depends on your priorities. Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with median rent of $1,539/mo, while Santa Maria has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,842/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Clearwater details → View Santa Maria details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Clearwater and Santa Maria

Clearwater vs. North Charleston Clearwater vs. Lakeland Clearwater vs. Cambridge Clearwater vs. The Woodlands Clearwater vs. Richardson Clearwater vs. Evansville Santa Maria vs. Ventura Santa Maria vs. Sugar Land Santa Maria vs. Temecula Santa Maria vs. Greeley Santa Maria vs. Costa Mesa Santa Maria vs. South Fulton