Moving from Tampa, FL to Clearwater, FL
Relocating from Tampa, FL to Clearwater, FL? The drive is 20 mi β about 33 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
20 mi Β· 33 min by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | FL 60, FL 616, CR 528 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | Clearwater | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 100.89 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 88.525 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 95.47 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 125.839 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.0% under Tampa β $374,888 β $339,488 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, Clearwater -5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tampa | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 53Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 53.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 117,075 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $64,440 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 46.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.35 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% lower in Clearwater than Tampa.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clearwater MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 201,260 | $41,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 145,340 | $36,560 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 135,010 | $30,310 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,660 | $36,330 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 111,490 | $75,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 Clearwater average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Clearwater averages 53.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Clearwater compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 1,412,840 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs Clearwater?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,440 in Clearwater vs $71,302 in Tampa β a 9.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Clearwater, FL from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 20 mi and the route typically takes 33 min via FL 60 and FL 616. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tampa to Clearwater?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 20 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Clearwater compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $339,488 in Clearwater vs $374,888 in Tampa β a 9.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL Β· Clearwater, FL.