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Clearwater, Florida

USA · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

60
Overall Score

Clearwater is a vibrant coastal city located in Pinellas County, Florida, renowned for its stunning Gulf Coast beaches and warm tropical climate. Founded in the 19th century and incorporated in 1915, the city has evolved from a small fishing and citrus community into a major tourism and retirement hub. People move to Clearwater for its world-famous Clearwater Beach, abundant sunshine, and relaxed coastal lifestyle combined with modern urban amenities.

About Florida

Florida, known as the "Sunshine State," offers a diverse character with a laid-back beach culture and vibrant city life, attracting a mix of residents including many transplants. Its economy, the fourth largest in the U.S. as of 2024, is driven by major industries such as tourism, real estate, agriculture, aerospace and aviation, financial services, and healthcare and life sciences. Living in Florida generally entails a cost of living slightly higher than the national average, though it varies by city, with an average annual cost around $50,689 per person. The climate is characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters, with abundant sunshine year-round, fostering an outdoor-oriented lifestyle. Florida also boasts a tax-friendly environment with no state income tax.

117,292
Population
$63K
Avg Salary
102
Cost Index
59.9
Quality Score
How this 60/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
Component Readings used Points Weight Contributes
Safety Safety score: 70 / 100 70.0 30% 21.0
Affordability Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 102.0 41.3 25% 10.3
Economy & jobs Median household income: $65,400 Income needed to live here: $54,000 Unemployment rate: 3.5% 66.3 20% 13.3
Growth Population growth rate: 0.8% Job growth rate: 2.3% 55.5 15% 8.3
Business climate assessment Business climate assessment: 70 / 100 70.0 10% 7.0
Overall score 59.9

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Tier 1 (fast) (q=52, partial — below threshold), last refreshed 15 October 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

Businesses in Clearwater

Featured local businesses in Clearwater.

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Quality Scores

Business
70
Livability
76
Affordability
62
Growth
72

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Clearwater is roughly aligned with the national average, though housing costs tend to be slightly higher due to high demand for coastal real estate. While everyday goods, groceries, and transportation remain relatively standard compared to the rest of the United States, coastal property values and insurance premiums have experienced notable upward pressure. Renters and homebuyers alike often find that proximity to the waterfront commands a significant financial premium.

Average Rent
$1,750/mo
Groceries
$420/mo
Transport
$115/mo
Utilities
$175/mo
Healthcare
$240/mo
Gym membership (monthly)
$50.00
Cinema ticket
$13.00
Restaurant meal (mid-range)
$25.00
Monthly groceries
$420.00
Doctor visit (without insurance)
$140.00

Salary Insights

Clearwater's economy is heavily anchored by tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and retail trade, serving as a major employment engine within the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. Major local employers include Morton Plant Hospital, BayCare Health System, and various tech and manufacturing firms dotted throughout the region. The remote work scene has also grown substantially, drawing professionals who want to combine a career with a coastal Florida lifestyle.

The average salary in Clearwater is $63,000 per year. You would need approximately $54,000 to live comfortably.

Top Industries

Retail Trade +1.20% Healthcare and Social Assistance +3.20% Professional and Business Services +2.50% Tourism and Hospitality +2.80% Manufacturing and Aerospace +2.00%

Climate

🌡️
73°F
Avg Temp
☀️
89°F
Summer High
❄️
54°F
Winter Low
🌧️
42.30"
Annual Rain
💧
72.00%
Humidity
🌤️
231
Sunny Days

Transport

Getting around Clearwater relies primarily on automobiles, with major thoroughfares like US-19 facilitating regional connectivity across Pinellas County. Public transit is serviced by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), offering bus routes throughout the city and connections to neighboring municipalities. While downtown and the immediate beachfront areas offer decent walkability, the city as a whole remains largely car-dependent.

24 min
Avg Commute
45.00/10
Transit Score
58.00/10
Walkability
High
Car Dependency

Pros & Cons

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.

Questions about Clearwater

What people ask about living in and moving to Clearwater, Florida.

What is the typical rent for a one‑bedroom apartment in Clearwater? Housing 1 answer

The average rent in Clearwater is about $1,750 per month, which reflects a range of unit sizes and locations. One‑bedroom apartments close to the waterfront tend to be at the higher end of that average, while those farther inland may be somewhat cheaper. To gauge current listings, check regional rental websites, local classifieds, or the city’s housing portal. Keep in mind that utilities are often separate, and some...

What are the average salaries like in Clearwater? Jobs & Economy 1 answer

The average annual salary in Clearwater is $63,000. This figure includes a mix of industries, with hospitality, tourism, and service sectors representing a significant share of local employment. While the average gives a baseline, salaries can vary widely by role, experience, and employer. For hospitality positions, wages may be lower than the overall average, but tips and seasonal bonuses can supplement income. Revi...

How are public schools rated in Clearwater? Schools & Education 1 answer

Clearwater’s public schools are administered by the county school district, which provides performance reports and standardized test scores on its website. Overall, the district’s schools tend to perform at or slightly above state averages, with some elementary schools receiving higher ratings for student achievement and safety. To assess individual schools, review the district’s school report cards, visit school ope...

What public transportation options are available in Clearwater? Getting Around 1 answer

Clearwater is served by a regional transit authority that operates bus routes covering the downtown area, the beach corridor, and surrounding suburbs. The system offers regular weekday service, reduced weekend schedules, and a fare structure that is comparable to other Florida cities. For longer trips, the transit authority connects with neighboring county services and regional rail stations. You can view route maps,...

Where can I find hospitals or urgent care in Clearwater? Healthcare 1 answer

Clearwater is part of a larger county health network that includes several hospitals, urgent‑care centers, and specialty clinics. The county health department’s website lists facilities by type, location, and the services they provide, such as emergency care, primary care, and chronic disease management. Many providers accept a range of insurance plans, but it’s wise to verify coverage directly with your insurer. For...

What free or low‑cost activities are popular in Clearwater? Things to Do 1 answer

Clearwater offers a variety of inexpensive recreational options. The city’s public beaches are free and provide opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and beach volleyball. Parks and nature trails are maintained by the municipal parks department and often host community events, outdoor concerts, and fitness classes at little or no cost. The downtown waterfront promenade features public art installations and occasion...

What should I know about utilities and services when moving to Clearwater? Moving Here 1 answer

When you relocate to Clearwater, you’ll need to set up accounts with the city’s utility providers for electricity, water, and waste collection. The municipal water department and the regional electric utility both allow online account creation and provide rate information on their websites. Internet and cable services are offered by several regional providers; you can compare plans and speeds on consumer comparison s...

What’s the overall vibe of living in Clearwater? General 1 answer

Clearwater blends a laid‑back coastal atmosphere with a modest urban core. Residents enjoy easy access to beaches, a growing downtown area with restaurants and shops, and a range of outdoor activities like boating and fishing. The cost of living is slightly above the national average, driven mainly by housing, while the average salary of $63,000 helps offset expenses. Safety scores suggest a generally safe environmen...

How does Clearwater's cost of living compare to the national average? Cost of Living 1 answer

Clearwater’s cost‑of‑living index is 102, meaning it is roughly 2 % higher than the national average of 100. This modest increase is driven mainly by housing costs, which are near the national median, while other expenses such as groceries, transportation, and healthcare tend to be close to average. When budgeting, factor in the $1,750 average rent and the $63,000 median household salary to gauge purchasing power. On...

Is Clearwater a safe place to live? Safety 1 answer

Clearwater has a safety score of 70 out of 100, indicating a moderate level of safety relative to other U.S. cities. Crime tends to be concentrated in certain neighborhoods, while many residential areas, especially those near the coast and in suburban zones, report lower incident rates. The city’s police department publishes crime statistics and safety alerts on its official site, which can be useful for evaluating s...

Some answers here were drafted as a starting point and may be out of date. Live in Clearwater? Add your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Urblytica benchmarks its Cost of Living Index against a United States national average baseline of 100. A score of 115 means a city is approximately 15% more expensive than the national average, while a score of 85 indicates it is 15% more affordable. This composite calculation is weighted across six primary expenditure categories: housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods.

Urblytica aggregates housing data from multiple authoritative sources, including Multiple Listing Service (MLS) feeds, municipal property tax registries, the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), and verified historical deed transactions. This multi-tier aggregation ensures precision in tracking median home values and rental rates.

A municipality must meet minimum data-density thresholds—including consistent reporting population samples from the U.S. Census and active residential or commercial real estate transaction feeds—to ensure statistical significance before a complete scoring profile is published.

When primary agencies (such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics or U.S. Census Bureau) issue historical data revisions or benchmark corrections, Urblytica's data pipeline automatically re-indexes affected historical archives to maintain longitudinal trend accuracy.

U.S. affordability calculations incorporate federal income tax brackets, state-specific income tax rates, and local municipal tax variations to evaluate the true net tax drag on median household earnings across different states and cities.

Local county and municipal property tax millage rates are factored directly into the housing component of the cost-of-living index to reflect recurring annual tax burdens for homeowners.

The platform aggregates state sales taxes alongside county and city surtaxes to measure consumer basket purchasing power parity accurately across different retail jurisdictions.

Utility calculations apply regional seasonal consumption weightings, incorporating high summer air conditioning loads in southern states and heavy winter heating demands in northern states.

The index tracks average out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, routine outpatient visit costs, and regional health insurance premium benchmarks published by federal health agencies.

Educational metrics aggregate state standardized testing benchmarks, student-to-teacher ratios, high school graduation rates, and per-pupil expenditure data published by state departments of education.

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