Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Clearwater, FL (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Fort Lauderdale is 26% more expensive than Clearwater.

$1,776/mo ↑ 15%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↓ 13%
$79,935/yr ↑ 24%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 19%
$455,600 ↑ 40%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 28%
$1,778/mo ↑ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 21%
183,032
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $237/month cheaper in Clearwater, saving renters about $2,844/year.

Median household income is $15,495/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Clearwater?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $237/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Clearwater?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $15,495/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Florida?
Both cities are in Florida and share the same state tax rates: 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Lauderdale details → View Clearwater details →

More Comparisons

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