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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Sacramento is 26% more expensive than Clearwater.

$1,694/mo ↑ 10%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↓ 9%
$83,753/yr ↑ 30%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 23%
$484,600 ↑ 49%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 33%
$1,752/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 19%
524,802
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $155/month cheaper in Clearwater, saving renters about $1,860/year.

Median household income is $19,313/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 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

Sacramento vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Sacramento 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 Sacramento and Clearwater?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $155/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Clearwater?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $19,313/year higher in Sacramento.
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 Sacramento or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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 Sacramento details → View Clearwater details →

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