Moving from Clearwater, FL to Jacksonville, FL
It is a 219 mi drive, roughly 4h 32m, between Clearwater, FL and Jacksonville, FL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
219 mi Β· 4h 32m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, US 301, US 17 |
| Major cities en route | Gainesville, Lakeland, Tampa, St Petersburg |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Jacksonville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 99.484 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 87.514 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 109.777 | 100.0 |
Clearwater and Jacksonville sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Jacksonville run about 1.4% cheaper β ZHVI $339,488 β $282,895 (2026-03).
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Jacksonville -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 47.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 73.9Β°F vs 71.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Jacksonville sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 961,739 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $66,981 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.5 |
Household income lines up β $64,440 vs $66,981 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jacksonville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 106,430 | $41,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 78,750 | $37,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 72,870 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,150 | $29,270 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,370 | $74,980 |
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 Jacksonville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Jacksonville compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 740,520 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Jacksonville, FL from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 219 mi and the route typically takes 4h 32m via I 75 and US 301. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Jacksonville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,981 in Jacksonville vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 3.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Jacksonville more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jacksonville is 1.4% lower than Clearwater (99.484 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 Jacksonville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 219 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 Jacksonville compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $282,895 in Jacksonville vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 16.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL Β· Jacksonville, FL.