City Comparison
Clearwater vs West Palm Beach
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Clearwater scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clearwater
West Palm Beach
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Clearwater is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in West Palm Beach.
Housing costs are a major driver: Clearwater's average rent is
19% lower than West Palm Beach's.
| Metric | Clearwater | West Palm Beach | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $2,150 | -19% |
| Groceries | $420 | $480 | -13% |
| Utilities | $175 | $195 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $135 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $270 | -11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,700 | $3,230 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 115 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Palm Beach offers 15% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, West Palm Beach delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Clearwater is estimated at
$54,000 vs $65,000 in West Palm Beach.
| Metric | Clearwater | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $74,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,765 idx | 64,348 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $76,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Clearwater comes out ahead with 48 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Clearwater | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 73.40°F | 76.60°F |
| Summer High | 88.90°F | 88.90°F |
| Winter Low | 54.10°F | 64.00°F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | 53.50 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 231 | 183 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
West Palm Beach scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Clearwater | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 54.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
West Palm Beach is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, West Palm Beach is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Clearwater | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,292 | 120,824 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clearwater
Advantages
Home to Clearwater Beach, consistently ranked among the top beaches in the United States by TripAdvisor.
Abundant sunshine averaging 231 sunny days per year with warm winters averaging a low of 54.1°F.
World-class healthcare access anchored by Morton Plant Hospital and the extensive BayCare Health System.
No state personal income tax in Florida, providing financial relief for residents and retirees.
Vibrant outdoor lifestyle with extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, and park recreation.
Drawbacks
High homeowners insurance rates and vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes along the coast.
Significant seasonal traffic congestion, particularly along routes leading to Clearwater Beach.
Higher-than-average housing and rental costs driven by strong coastal real estate demand.
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited heavy rail public transit options.
Summer heat and humidity can be intense during peak months from June through September.
West Palm Beach
Advantages
No state income tax in Florida, providing significant tax relief for residents and businesses.
Rapidly expanding financial and tech sectors ('Wall Street South') creating high-paying career opportunities.
Vibrant downtown waterfront dining, shopping, and cultural venues like the Norton Museum of Art.
Exceptional year-round warm weather with access to pristine Atlantic beaches and outdoor recreation.
Connected transit options via Brightline high-speed rail linking directly to Miami and Orlando.
Drawbacks
Rising cost of living and housing prices driven by high demand and population influx.
High homeowners and property insurance costs due to regional weather risks.
Significant traffic congestion along major regional corridors during peak commuting hours.
High humidity and intense heat during summer months limiting midday outdoor activity.
Competitive rental market making affordable housing difficult to secure for mid-income workers.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Clearwater
#350Florida, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
231/yr
Avg Temp
73.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
Business
70
West Palm Beach
#434Florida, USA
56.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,150
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
115
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
183/yr
Avg Temp
76.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
Business
78
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