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

Palmdale

California
130
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Palmdale is 24% more expensive than Clearwater.

$1,736/mo ↑ 13%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↓ 11%
$81,151/yr ↑ 26%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 21%
$435,300 ↑ 33%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 25%
$1,831/mo ↑ 30%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 23%
165,487
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Palmdale, CA and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 130 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $197/month cheaper in Clearwater, saving renters about $2,364/year.

Median household income is $16,711/year higher in Palmdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Palmdale is $435,300 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Palmdale vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Palmdale or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Palmdale and Clearwater?
Median rent in Palmdale is $1,736/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $197/month.
Which city has higher income, Palmdale or Clearwater?
Median household income is $81,151 in Palmdale and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $16,711/year higher in Palmdale.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Palmdale or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with median rent of $1,736/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 Palmdale details → View Clearwater details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Palmdale and Clearwater

Palmdale vs. Springfield Palmdale vs. Salinas Palmdale vs. Fort Collins Palmdale vs. Hayward Palmdale vs. Lancaster Palmdale vs. Corona Clearwater vs. North Charleston Clearwater vs. Lakeland Clearwater vs. Cambridge Clearwater vs. The Woodlands Clearwater vs. Richardson Clearwater vs. Evansville