How much does it cost to rent in Clearwater, FL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Clearwater, FL is $1,962. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Clearwater cheaper than other Florida cities?

Clearwater is among the more affordable cities in Florida, ranking #195 out of 288 cities at $1,962/mo.

When was Clearwater rent data last updated?

Clearwater rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · FL

Clearwater

Name: Average Rent Prices in Clearwater, FL
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 117,247·195th most expensive in Florida·Rental market data updated monthly for Clearwater, FL

Median rent (all units)

$1,962/mo

Year-over-Year

-1.5%

Month-over-Month

-0.2%

vs US Median

-$3

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Clearwater · $1,962

More expensive than 57% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

82/100

Great value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 16% below what Clearwater's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,962/mo

Expected by trend

$2,339/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Clearwater's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,697

1 BR

$1,827

2 BR

$2,144

3 BR

$2,746

4 BR+

$3,342

Research median

$2,144/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$23,544/yr

At $1,962/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (-1.5% YoY, -0.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Clearwater, FL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 32.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

117,247

Median income

$66,381

Median age

46.6

Renters

41.4%

Age distribution

16.9%

19.7%

24.4%

15%

24.1%

Under 1816.9%

18–3419.7%

35–5424.4%

55–6415%

65+24.1%

Gender

49.2%

50.8%

Male49.2%

Female50.8%

Race & ethnicity

68.4%

17.1%

White68.4%

Black10.7%

Hispanic17.1%

Asian2.8%

Other1.1%

Education (25+)

30.1%

28.2%

32.6%

No HS diploma9.1%

HS diploma30.1%

Some college28.2%

Bachelor's+32.6%

Housing tenure

58.6%

41.4%

Owner58.6%

Renter41.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Clearwater, FL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,449 → $1,962

up 35.4%

Income

$54,182 → $66,381

up 22.5%

Population

116,616 → 117,247

up 0.5%

Renter share

41.8% → 41.4%

-0.4 pts

Bachelor's+

32.1% → 32.6%

+0.5 pts

Median age

45.8 → 46.6

+0.8 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Clearwater, FL paid around $1,449 a month. That figure now sits near $1,962, up 35.4% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $66,381 today, compared with $54,182 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Clearwater

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View Clearwater rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Clearwater on your salary?

At $1,962/mo, how Clearwater rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $87,866/yr · Rent = 26.8% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $62,384/yr · Rent = 37.7% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $71,861/yr · Rent = 32.8% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $128,442/yr · Rent = 18.3% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $164,117/yr · Rent = 14.3% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $58,413/yr · Rent = 40.3% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $52,740/yr · Rent = 44.6% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $65,007/yr · Rent = 36.2% income

stretched

By apartment size

Clearwater rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Clearwater. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Clearwater

About renting in Clearwater, FL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Clearwater is $1,962/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,697/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,144/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,827/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,746/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($66,381/yr), Clearwater ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Clearwater an affordable city for renters?

Clearwater is considered moderate for renters. At $1,962/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($66,381/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Clearwater slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Clearwater?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $78,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,962/mo in Clearwater. The local median household income is $66,381/yr, meaning the typical Clearwater household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Clearwater?

Rent in Clearwater has decreased 1.5% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Clearwater neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Clearwater are 33765 ($1,617/mo), 33762 ($1,834/mo), and 33756 ($1,861/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Clearwater is $1,962/mo.

How does Clearwater rent compare to other cities in Florida?

Clearwater is one of the more affordable cities in Florida for rent, ranking #195 out of 288 tracked cities at $1,962/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Clearwater?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Clearwater ($1,962/mo): South Highpoint ($1,758/mo), Largo ($1,822/mo).

What percentage of Clearwater residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 41.4% of Clearwater households are renters, while 58.6% are owner-occupied. Clearwater leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Clearwater rent compare to the national average?

Clearwater's median rent of $1,962/mo is $3 (0%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Florida, it ranks #195 out of 288 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

35%

MODERATE

At $1,962/mo, rent takes ~35% of Clearwater's median household income ($66,381/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Clearwater 35%Benchmark 30%

State income taxNone

Run the Clearwater affordability calculator →

Nearby cities