Cost of Living: Raleigh, NC vs Clearwater, FL (2026)

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Raleigh is 5% more expensive than Clearwater.

$1,468/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↑ 5%
$82,424/yr ↑ 28%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 22%
$377,800 ↑ 16%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 14%
$1,487/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 5%
470,763
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
0%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $71/month cheaper in Raleigh, saving renters about $852/year.

Median household income is $17,984/year higher in Raleigh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Clearwater residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Raleigh or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Clearwater?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $71/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or Clearwater?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $17,984/year higher in Raleigh.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Florida?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Raleigh or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/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 Raleigh details → View Clearwater details →

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