Cost of Living: Clearwater, FL vs Tuscaloosa, AL (2026)

Clearwater

Florida
105
VS

Tuscaloosa

Alabama
73

Clearwater is 44% more expensive than Tuscaloosa.

$1,539/mo ↑ 53%
Median Rent
$1,005/mo ↓ 35%
$64,440/yr ↑ 33%
Median Income
$48,536/yr ↓ 25%
$326,100 ↑ 38%
Home Value
$236,600 ↓ 27%
$1,411/mo ↑ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,038/mo ↓ 26%
117,075
Population
107,699

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

28.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Clearwater, FL and Tuscaloosa, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 105 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $534/month cheaper in Tuscaloosa, saving renters about $6,408/year.

Median household income is $15,904/year higher in Clearwater. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Clearwater is $326,100 compared to $236,600 in Tuscaloosa.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Clearwater residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clearwater vs Tuscaloosa — common questions

Is Clearwater or Tuscaloosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tuscaloosa is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Clearwater and Tuscaloosa?
Median rent in Clearwater is $1,539/month and in Tuscaloosa it's $1,005/month — a difference of $534/month.
Which city has higher income, Clearwater or Tuscaloosa?
Median household income is $64,440 in Clearwater and $48,536 in Tuscaloosa. Median household income is $15,904/year higher in Clearwater.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Alabama?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Clearwater or Tuscaloosa?
It depends on your priorities. Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with median rent of $1,539/mo, while Tuscaloosa has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,005/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Clearwater details → View Tuscaloosa details →

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