Rents are 17% below what Clearwater's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,939 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Clearwater, FL has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Clearwater, FL paid around $1,449 a month. That figure now sits near $1,939, up 33.8% 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.
Discussions about Clearwater
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Clearwater on your salary?
At $1,939/mo, how Clearwater rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Clearwater rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Clearwater. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Clearwater
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Clearwater is $1,939/mo as of August 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 2.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clearwater an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Clearwater?
Is rent going up or down in Clearwater?
Which Clearwater neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Clearwater rent compare to other cities in Florida?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Clearwater?
What percentage of Clearwater residents rent vs. own?
How does Clearwater rent compare to the national average?
At $1,939/mo, rent takes ~35% of Clearwater's median household income ($66,381/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Clearwater.
No discussions yet.
