Moving from Clearwater, FL to Miami, FL
Relocating between Clearwater, FL and Miami, FL is a 283 mi drive β 5h 25m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
283 mi Β· 5h 25m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, US 19, I 275 |
| Major cities en route | Hialeah, Miami Gardens, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Hollywood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Miami | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Miami runs about 13.1% more expensive overall than Clearwater β RPP 100.89 β 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $339,488 in Clearwater to $579,564 in Miami, a 13.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Miami -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 61Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 57.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 73.9Β°F vs 76.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Miami sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, MIAMI BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 446,663 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $59,390 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 39.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.35 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 13.1% lower in Miami than Clearwater.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
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
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami averages 57.2 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 much do homes cost in Miami compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $579,564 in Miami vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 70.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Miami compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Miami?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,390 in Miami vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 7.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Miami, FL from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 283 mi and the route typically takes 5h 25m via I 75 and US 19. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Miami more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami is 13.1% higher than Clearwater (114.155 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 Miami?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 283 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL Β· Miami, FL.