Clearwater, FL Utility & Living Guide

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Clearwater, FL Utility & Living Guide

Clearwater is a city in and the county seat of Pinellas County, Florida, United States, west of Tampa and north of St. Petersburg.

Last updated: July 9, 2026

Total Utilities$305/mo

1BR Rent$1250/mo

Sales Tax7.5%

COL Index105 (+5% above national average)

Family Score6/10

Median Home$287,900

📷 Live Cameras — Clearwater

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🌤️ Live Weather — Clearwater

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Historical Archive & Municipal Lore

Clearwater, FL — Heritage, Historical Lore & Civic Curiosities

🏛️ Name Origins & Municipal Quirks: Named during 19th-century territorial surveys and postal expansion reflecting geographic landmarks around Clearwater.

🌿 Natural Wonders & Topography: Surrounded by freshwater artesian aquifer springs, sandy pine flatwoods, and native subtropical hammocks.

🚂 Boomtown & Industrial Lore: Expanded rapidly in the late 19th century when cross-state railways connected regional timber, turpentine, and citrus groves.

📜 Pioneer Migration Footprints: Homesteaders arrived under territorial land grants and post-Civil War settlement acts, clearing acreage for farms.

⚡ Civic & Engineering Firsts: Constructed its earliest municipal brick streets and civic water grids during the early 1900s municipal improvement era.

🎲 Forgotten Curiosities & Regional Lore: Preserves historic early-20th-century vernacular architecture along original commercial trading avenues.

Verified Public Domain Records FinKlick Municipal Data Journalism Desk

📍 Live Local News & Briefing

⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Clearwater

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💰 Budget Calculator

🔌 Utilities

🏠 Housing

📊 Cost of Living

💰 Taxes

👨‍👩‍👧 Families

🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$120/mo

Duke Energy Florida

🔥 Gas

$50/mo

N/A - Electric only

💧 Water

$45/mo

City of Clearwater Water Department

🗑️ Garbage

$25/mo

City of Clearwater Solid Waste Department

📶 Internet

$65/mo

Combined Average Overhead$305/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom	$1250/mo
2 Bedrooms	$1389/mo
3 Bedrooms	$1736/mo
Median Home Price	$287,900
Property Tax Rate	1.2%
Avg Childcare/mo	$1000

The Clearwater housing market is competitive, with prices rising due to demand for coastal living. Inventory is tight, especially for single-family homes near the beach.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

105

US national avg = 100

vs National Avg

+5% above national average

Groceries

102

Transportation

Healthcare

100

Childcare/mo

$1000

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Total Sales Tax	7.5%
Property Tax Rate	1.2%
<p>State 6% + County 1% + City 0.5%</p>

Florida has no state income tax.

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score

6/10

Safety Index

Higher = safer

School Rating

6.5/10

GreatSchools avg

Avg Childcare

$1000/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend

+3% (growing)

Political Climate

Purple (mixed Republican/Democratic leanings)

Business Momentum

Moderate with key industries in tourism, healthcare, and marine sciences.

Top Local Concerns

Hurricane preparedness, traffic congestion, affordable housing

🚌 Transit for Families

Public transit is limited; buses are accessible but not always stroller-friendly.

🎡 Top Kid Attractions

🎯
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
🎯
Sand Key Park
🎯
Moccasin Lake Nature Park

Best Neighborhoods for Families

Countryside and Belleair are popular for families due to good schools and parks. Beach neighborhoods offer a resort-like lifestyle but at higher costs.

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Clearwater based on your household profile.

📰 Live Local News

Short-term rental regulations apply; beachfront properties may have additional zoning restrictions.

Financial Tools

Calculators

Income Tax CalculatorEstimate take-home pay by state
Mortgage CalculatorMonthly payment estimator
Affordability CalculatorHow much home can you afford?
Childcare Cost EstimatorCompare daycare costs by city

Planning Tools

Retirement PlannerRetirement readiness check
Car Lease CalculatorMonthly lease payment estimator
Savings CalculatorGrow your emergency fund
City Comparison ToolCompare cities side by side

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📊 Clearwater — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

💰 Median Household Income

$59,358

👤 Median Age

45.8

🏠 Homeownership Rate

58.8%

🔑 Renter Rate

41.2%

📉 Poverty Rate

16.2%

💼 Unemployment Rate

4.6%

📡 Internet Access

83.7%

🎓 College Educated

28.4%

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Summer AC usage spikes electric bills, while winter costs are lower due to mild temperatures. Water usage may rise in dry seasons for landscaping.

🏛️ Local Tax Details

Key ZIP code level tax info: Property tax millage rates vary by ZIP, with beach areas often higher. Clearwater has no local surtax beyond county rates.