Cost of Living: Richardson, TX vs Clearwater, FL (2026)

Richardson

Texas
128
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Richardson is 22% more expensive than Clearwater.

$1,825/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↓ 16%
$96,257/yr ↑ 49%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 33%
$405,600 ↑ 24%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 20%
$1,796/mo ↑ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 21%
118,269
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

22.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Richardson, TX and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 128 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $286/month cheaper in Clearwater, saving renters about $3,432/year.

Median household income is $31,817/year higher in Richardson. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Richardson is $405,600 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

Frequently Asked Questions

Richardson vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Richardson or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Richardson and Clearwater?
Median rent in Richardson is $1,825/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $286/month.
Which city has higher income, Richardson or Clearwater?
Median household income is $96,257 in Richardson and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $31,817/year higher in Richardson.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Florida?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Richardson or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Richardson has a cost index of 128 with median rent of $1,825/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 Richardson details → View Clearwater details →

More Comparisons

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