Moving from Clearwater, FL to Tampa, FL
It is a short 20 mi hop from Clearwater, FL to Tampa, FL — roughly 33 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
20 mi · 33 min by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | FL 60, FL 616, CR 528 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Tampa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 100.89 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 88.525 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 95.47 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 125.839 | 100.0 |
Clearwater and Tampa sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Tampa run about 0.0% pricier — ZHVI $339,488 → $374,888 (2026-03).
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Tampa -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clearwater | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 53°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 49.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 73.9°F vs 74.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Tampa sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, TAMPA INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 393,389 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $71,302 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 26.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.45 |
Households in Tampa earn about 0.0% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tampa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 201,260 | $41,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 145,340 | $36,560 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 135,010 | $30,310 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,660 | $36,330 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 111,490 | $75,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 Tampa average 91°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 — 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 far is Tampa, FL from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 20 mi and the route typically takes 33 min via FL 60 and FL 616. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tampa compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,888 in Tampa vs $339,488 in Clearwater — a 10.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to Tampa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 20 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tampa compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,420 in the Tampa MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 1,412,840 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 Tampa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,302 in Tampa vs $64,440 in Clearwater — a 10.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL · Tampa, FL.