Clearwater, FL vs Margate, FL

Clearwater, FL and Margate, FL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Clearwater scores 109 while Margate scores 113 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Clearwater is $1,539/month compared to $1,662/month in Margate — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Clearwater has cheaper rent, Margate actually has lower median home values ($286,200 vs $326,100).

Median household income in Clearwater is $64,440 compared to $60,852 in Margate (+5.9%). Clearwater offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Clearwater spend roughly 28.7% of their income on rent, less than the 32.8% in Margate. The Clearwater ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.