Cost of Living: Mesa, AZ vs Clearwater, FL (2026)

Mesa

Arizona
107
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Mesa and Clearwater have a similar cost of living.

$1,478/mo ↓ 4%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↑ 4%
$78,779/yr ↑ 22%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 18%
$364,300 ↑ 12%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 10%
$1,404/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ≈ Same
507,478
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

2.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.6%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.62%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

22.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Mesa, AZ and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 107 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $61/month cheaper in Mesa, saving renters about $732/year.

Median household income is $14,339/year higher in Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Mesa is $364,300 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Clearwater residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mesa vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Mesa or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 107 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Mesa and Clearwater?
Median rent in Mesa is $1,478/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $61/month.
Which city has higher income, Mesa or Clearwater?
Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $14,339/year higher in Mesa.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and Florida?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Mesa or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Mesa has a cost index of 107 with median rent of $1,478/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 Mesa details → View Clearwater details →

More Comparisons

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