Moving from Clearwater, FL to Orlando, FL
It is a 110 mi drive, roughly 2h 20m, between Clearwater, FL and Orlando, 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.
110 mi Β· 2h 20m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 4, FL 417 TOLL, FL 60 |
| Major cities en route | Lakeland, Tampa, St Petersburg |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.5% above Clearwater β $339,488 β $374,136 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 50Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 51.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Orlando β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.46 |
Households in Orlando earn about 0.5% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
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 Orlando average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Orlando averages 51.5 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 does household income compare in Clearwater vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 7.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 10.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Orlando more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 0.5% higher than Clearwater (101.418 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Orlando, FL from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 110 mi and the route typically takes 2h 20m via I 4 and FL 417 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Orlando compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 110 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· Orlando, FL.