Clearwater, FL vs Orlando, FL

Clearwater is moderately more affordable than Orlando, with a 5% lower cost of living index. Clearwater scores 109 compared to 115 for Orlando, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Orlando can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Clearwater is $1,539/month compared to $1,650/month in Orlando — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Clearwater is more affordable at $326,100 median vs $359,000.

Median household income in Clearwater is $64,440 compared to $69,268 in Orlando (-7%). While Orlando 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 28.6% in Orlando.