Clearwater, FL vs Boston, MA

The cost of living difference between Clearwater, FL and Boston, MA is dramatic. Clearwater is 31.9% cheaper than Boston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Clearwater has a cost index of 109 while Boston sits at 160, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Clearwater is $1,539/month compared to $2,093/month in Boston — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Clearwater is more affordable at $326,100 median vs $710,400.

Median household income in Clearwater is $64,440 compared to $94,755 in Boston (-32%). While Boston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Clearwater spend roughly 28.7% of their income on rent, more than the 26.5% in Boston.