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

Santa Clara

California
307
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Santa Clara is 192% more expensive than Clearwater.

$2,985/mo ↑ 94%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↓ 48%
$173,670/yr ↑ 170%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 63%
$1,527,900 ↑ 369%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 79%
$3,051/mo ↑ 116%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 54%
129,239
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clara, CA and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 307 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,446/month cheaper in Clearwater, saving renters about $17,352/year.

Median household income is $109,230/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clara is $1,527,900 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

Santa Clara vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Santa Clara or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clara and Clearwater?
Median rent in Santa Clara is $2,985/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $1,446/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clara or Clearwater?
Median household income is $173,670 in Santa Clara and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $109,230/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with median rent of $2,985/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 Santa Clara details → View Clearwater details →

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