St. Pete Beach vs. Clearwater Beach: Which Is Better?
Published February 13, 2023
One of the most common problems you’ll encounter when planning a trip is deciding on a destination. Most of the time, the majority of your options for a destination are equally good, but you know very well that some will ultimately lead to an overall better experience.
That’s particularly true for those planning a trip to the Florida Gulf Coast. St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach are among the most common choices, but which is better?
Better yet, why do most people choose from these two options in the first place?
Why St. Pete Beach vs. Clearwater Beach?
People flock to Florida’s Gulf Coast for its spectacular views, warm sand, and icy waters.
With so many gorgeous shores along the panhandle, like Fort Island Beach and Tigertail Beach, it is intriguing that one particular pair: Clearwater Beach & St. Pete Beach, has earned unparalleled attention as of late. So, what’s the reason behind such prominence?
It’s primarily because, in Tripadvisor’s Best Beaches compilation in 2019, Clearwater was number 1 in the US. And in 2021, a similar prestige befell its neighbor, St. Pete Beach.
Considering their mutual history, people naturally became curious about how these two would fare if pitted against one another. With that in mind, in this St. Pete Beach vs. Clearwater Beach comparison, we’ll examine the key differences between these two destinations.
St. Pete Beach vs. Clearwater Beach: Location
According to Bankrate, families in the US spend 44% of their vacation funds on transportation alone. Transportation, in this context, consists of getting around during the trip and traveling to and from the destination. Needless to say, transportation is important.
That’s why you must take into consideration the distance from your starting point to your destination. For that, the location of the beach you’re going to is vital information.
St. Pete Beach
St. Pete Beach is located in St. Petersburg, a city in Pinellas County, Florida.
The beach is 15.4 miles from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and 28 miles from Tampa International Airport (TPA).
These are the nearest airports to St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach.
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach is located in Clearwater, Florida.
The beach is 12.7 miles from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and 21.3 miles from Tampa International Airport (TPA).
In short, if you’re landing in any of these airports, Clearwater Beach is most definitely the closest destination, though not by much.
St. Pete Beach vs. Clearwater Beach: Cost of Living
The cost of living corresponds to the relative costs of housing, utilities, transportation, groceries, and other necessities. Though it’s mostly relevant to the area’s residents, tourists such as yourself would also benefit from knowing the costs of living in their destination.
St. Pete Beach
The cost of living in the city of St. Petersburg is 1.8% lower than the national average.
Here’s a breakdown of the different factors of cost of living:
- housing prices are 12% lower,
- utility expenses are 0% lower,
- transportation costs (gas prices and bus fares) are 1% higher,
- grocery prices are 7% higher, and
- healthcare expenses are 5% lower than the national average.
Clearwater Beach
The cost of living in the city of Clearwater is 1.4% lower than the national average.
Here’s a breakdown of the different factors of cost of living:
- housing prices are 10% lower,
- utility expenses are 0% lower,
- transportation costs (gas prices and bus fares) are 1% higher,
- grocery prices are 7% higher, and
- healthcare expenses are 5% lower than the national average.
Note: The data above is sourced from Payscale.com.
While the difference is negligible, it’s a fact that St. Pete Beach is more likely to have lower costs on bus fares, lodging, and other things you may need during your trip.
St. Pete Beach vs. Clearwater Beach: Size
Being smaller or larger doesn’t necessarily mean a beach is better or worse. However, certain individuals have preferences as far as shape, size, or length are concerned.
With that said, here’s how one would describe these beaches in terms of shape and size:
- St. Pete Beach: Long and narrow
- Clearwater Beach: Short and wide
Though Clearwater Beach is objectively shorter than St. Pete Beach, you’ll find more sand dunes in the area due to its wideness.
St. Pete Beach vs. Clearwater Beach: Activities
The beach activities that are available at St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach are roughly the same. However, there are a handful of activities in these places that are otherwise not available on other beaches.
St. Pete Beach
St. Pete Beach allows you to participate in the following activities:
- Biking
- Fort De Soto Park
- Golf carting
- Kayak and yacht rental for parties
- Paddleboarding
- Parasailing
- Shell Key Ferry
There are many non-beach activities in St. Pete Beach, even more than in Clearwater Beach. If you get tired of the scenery, you can also go to a neighboring beach, Pass-a-Grille Beach.
Clearwater Beach
Though Clearwater Beach doesn’t have as many non-beach activities as St. Pete Beach, the beach activities available in this area are more polished. These activities include:
- Beachfront promenade
- Dolphin watching
- Paddleboarding
- Parasailing
- Pier 60 activities (fishing, playground, shopping, festivals)
- Pirate ship rides
- Tiki boat tours
- Tours of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
St. Pete Beach vs. Clearwater Beach: Accommodation
Both St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach have several hotels and accommodations right around the corner. There are places with high prices for those who want to splurge a bit, and there are accommodations that are budget-friendly or moderately priced. Needless to say, you likely won’t encounter any major issues while looking for a place to stay.
St. Pete Beach vs. Clearwater Beach: Weather and Climate
The geography of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as far as weather and climate are concerned, are not that different. Rain that lasts for the entire day is quite rare on both of these beaches. If you do encounter rainfall, it’ll likely pass by rather quickly.
The Bottom Line
Many people like to compare two giants with one another to see which prevails. In this case, those giants are St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach. However, upon further research, you’ll come to find that there are far more similarities than differences between the two.
This isn’t one of those scenarios where choosing one over the other can make or break your trip. Both are lovely destinations, and you’ll likely enjoy your trip, whichever you choose.
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About The Author
Lenard Arceo is passionate about the outdoors and South Florida life. He is a professional blogger for several renowned publications and also loves learning how to code in his free time.
