Moving from Clearwater, FL to Brownsville, TX
It is 1298 mi between Clearwater and Brownsville β roughly 25h 10m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1298 mi Β· 25h 10m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 19, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 14.8% cheaper overall in Brownsville than Clearwater on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
14.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 3.21 |
Brownsville households earn about 14.8% less than Clearwater at the median β $64,440 β $48,675 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Brownsville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Brownsville more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 14.8% lower than Clearwater (85.975 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1298 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 24.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 42.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Brownsville, TX from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 1298 mi and the route typically takes 25h 10m via I 10 and US 19. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL Β· Brownsville, TX.