Clearwater, FL vs Winter Haven, FL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Winter Haven is 20.1% cheaper than Clearwater. With a cost index of 91 vs 109, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Winter Haven to Clearwater should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Clearwater is $1,539/month compared to $1,200/month in Winter Haven — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Winter Haven is more affordable at $248,200 median vs $326,100.

Median household income in Clearwater is $64,440 compared to $59,604 in Winter Haven (+8.1%). Clearwater does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Clearwater spend roughly 28.7% of their income on rent, more than the 24.2% in Winter Haven.