Clearwater Beach attracts investors looking for vacation rental income and for long-term ownership on the water. Below is what county sales records and short-term rental data show for the area, followed by the practical points to weigh before you buy.
Short-Term Rental Market
PriceLabs tracks about 350 short-term rental listings near Clearwater Beach. Across the 12 months from October 2025 to September 2026:
- Average nightly rate: $289, compared with $295 in the 12 months before, about 2% lower
- Booked nights: 62% of available nights, compared with 75% the year before
- Peak season: February to April had the highest nightly rates in both years. March 2026 booked 86% of available nights at about $408 a night, while September 2026 booked 43% at about $216
The number of booked nights actually rose by about 9%, but the nights available to book rose by about 32%, so a smaller share of them was filled. For month-by-month rental figures, see our monthly market reports, or get a free rental income estimate for your own property.
Long-Term Appreciation
Our county sales records start in 2021, so here we compare calendar year 2021 with the latest 12 months (September 2025 to August 2026) for Clearwater Beach, Sand Key and Island Estates:
- Middle recorded price: $750,000, compared with $635,000 in 2021, about 18% higher
- Middle price per square foot on resales: $527, compared with $463 in 2021, about 14% higher
- New construction: 36 of the 413 recorded sales in the latest 12 months
- Waterfront: properties the county records as waterfront had a middle recorded price of $875,000, compared with $500,000 for the rest of the area (for condos alone, $775,000 and $380,000)
The mix of homes that sell changes from year to year, so price per square foot is the steadier guide to how values have moved. Our August 2026 market report has the latest monthly figures.
Property Types to Consider
- Condos: most of the area’s sales. Condos made up 333 of the 413 recorded sales in the latest 12 months, with a middle price of $695,000. Our condo building guides cover each building
- Single-family homes: fewer sales at higher prices, with 78 recorded sales and a middle price of $1,200,000 over the same 12 months
- Rental rules: city zoning and each association set the minimum stay, so check both before you buy for rental income. Our short-term rental rules guide explains the rules in each beach town
Risks to Consider
- Hurricane exposure requires proper insurance (see our Florida property insurance guide)
- Flood zones may limit financing options (see Flood Zones 101)
- Rental income rises and falls with the season, as the monthly figures above show
- HOA rules can restrict rental strategies
Getting Started
Work with experienced local investors and property managers. Belloise Realty can connect you with trusted partners, help identify promising opportunities in the Clearwater Beach market, and look after your rental through our property management service.
Sources
- Pinellas County Property Appraiser qualified sales for Clearwater Beach, Sand Key and Island Estates, file dated October 5, 2026. Counts and middle prices include every qualified, improved, single-parcel sale, new construction included. Price per square foot uses resales where the county living area describes the home as it was sold. The middle recorded price is an actual recorded sale at the middle of the list, not an average. Waterfront is the county’s waterfront flag on the parcel.
- PriceLabs market data for about 350 nearby short-term rental listings, retrieved October 18, 2026. Rates are booked revenue divided by booked nights. PriceLabs recalculates past months over its current listing sample, so these figures can change slightly.