Is Clermont a good place to live? The short answer
For many buyers, yes, as long as the commute works. Clermont gives you rolling hills, a chain of lakes and newer housing at a lower price than Orange County suburbs, in exchange for longer drives, summer heat and the fees that come with new construction. Four numbers set the scene:
- $428,604: Zillow's typical Clermont home value in August 2026, down 2.3% in a year and up 21.4% over five years.
- $2,058 a month: Zillow's typical Clermont rent in August 2026, down 0.3% in a year.
- 52,812 residents: the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimate, up 22.8% from the 2020 base of 42,992.
- 27.4%: the share of Clermont workers whose commute takes 45 minutes or more, against 16.5% nationally (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024).
If you can live with the drive, the price gap is real: Winter Garden, just across the Orange County line, has a typical value of $566,535. The sections below go through each pro and con with the source behind it.
Pros of living in Clermont
More house for the money than west Orange County
Zillow's typical home value in Clermont was $428,604 in August 2026, against $566,535 in Winter Garden. That is a gap of about $138,000 for a buyer who is willing to cross into Lake County. At the Freddie Mac average rate of 7.03% (week of 24 September 2026), principal and interest on the typical Clermont home is about $2,288 a month with 20% down.
Hills, lakes and views you rarely get in Florida
Clermont sits on the northern end of the Lake Wales Ridge, which gives it rolling terrain that is unusual on the Florida peninsula. The Clermont Chain of Lakes runs through and around the city, and nearby Sugarloaf Mountain, at 312 feet, is the highest point on the peninsula. For buyers, that means lake-view and hilltop lots, but also sloped yards and drainage questions to check on any home.
Trails and a training culture
The South Lake-Lake Minneola Scenic Trail connects to the 22-mile West Orange Trail for a paved system of about 34 miles. Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola has a swimming area, fishing piers, a playground and paddleboard, kayak and bike rentals. The National Training Center, which Orlando Health opened in 2001 with USA Triathlon, still hosts triathlons, duathlons and cross country races, and it has made Clermont a winter training base for college and Olympic athletes.
No state income tax and a 7% sales tax
Florida has no personal income tax, so your paycheck is taxed only at the federal level. Lake County adds a 1% discretionary sales surtax to the 6% state rate, for a 7% total, and the Florida Department of Revenue lists that surtax as running to 31 December 2032. Property tax is the main local tax you will feel, which our Lake County property tax guide breaks down.
A hospital and sports medicine campus in town
Orlando Health South Lake Hospital is the regional hospital for south Lake County, with an emergency department, cardiovascular, orthopedic, stroke and women's services listed on its site. The hospital says its campus is in the middle of a major expansion and renovation. The National Training Center is part of the hospital and offers fitness memberships and outpatient rehabilitation.
A college campus with a university partner
Lake-Sumter State College's South Lake Campus is at 1250 N. Hancock Road in Clermont. Its second building, a 60,000-square-foot joint-use facility with the University of Central Florida, was dedicated in 2002, and the campus also has a joint-use library. That gives residents local access to associate degrees and some UCF courses without driving into Orlando.
Choice of housing, from 1990s resale to new builds
You can pick between older homes near downtown and Lake Minneola, established golf communities such as Legends, the gated golf community of Bella Collina in Montverde, north of Clermont, and new construction in the Wellness Way corridor. Builder prices checked in September 2026 started from the high $300,000s at Lennar's Wellness Ridge, and Pulte listed Parkside Trails from $419,990.
Within reach of Orlando metro jobs and salaries
Clermont is part of the Orlando metro, so most residents who commute are drawing Orlando-area wages. MIT's Living Wage Calculator, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, lists typical annual salaries for Lake County of $99,500 for healthcare practitioners, $104,030 for computer and math jobs and $87,940 for business and financial operations. Lake County's Wellness Way plan also sets aside room for 8.8 million square feet of non-residential space, which the county hopes will add jobs closer to home.
Lower insurance benchmarks than Orange County
Insurance is expensive everywhere in Florida, but Lake County's benchmark is lower than its neighbor's. Citizens Property Insurance's recommended average homeowners (HO-3) premium for policies from June 2026 to May 2027 is $2,339 in Lake County, against $2,922 in Orange County. Citizens is the state-created insurer of last resort, so private quotes will differ, but the gap is a useful signal.
Cons of living in Clermont
Long commutes for many workers
According to the American Community Survey (2020 to 2024), 27.4% of Clermont workers spend 45 minutes or more getting to work, compared with 18.1% in Florida and 16.5% nationally. Lake County's Wellness Way plan states that about 70% of the county's workforce leaves the county for work. Drive your commute on a weekday morning before you pick a street.
Heat and summer storms
NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals for the Clermont 9 S weather station show an average of about 113 days a year at 90°F or hotter. July averages a high of 93.6°F and a low of 74.0°F. June to September brings 28.87 inches of the station's 50.64 inches of annual rain, mostly as afternoon storms, so expect high summer power bills and a pool or lake habit.
Hurricane exposure, even inland
Clermont is well inland, which cuts out storm surge, but not wind, heavy rain or power cuts. Duke Energy Florida, the electric provider listed for the Wellness Way corridor, says hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 led to nearly 2 million reported power outages. Budget for storm shutters or impact windows, check the roof age and wind mitigation features, and look up the flood zone for any home near a lake.
Insurance costs are still rising
Lake County's benchmark is lower than Orange County's, but it is moving the wrong way. Citizens recommended a 7.3% increase in its average Lake County homeowners premium, from $2,180 to $2,339, for policies effective June 2026 to May 2027, while its statewide combined average was set to fall 2.6%. Get a quote on the exact home early in your inspection period.
CDD and HOA fees on newer homes
Most new communities sit inside a community development district. The Wellness Ridge CDD's FY2027 budget sets operations and maintenance assessments of $506.93 to $1,382.54 a year depending on home type, plus separate debt assessments of $1,303 to $1,564 for a 50-foot lot. That can add well over $2,000 a year before HOA dues. See our Clermont new construction guide for how to check.
Fast growth and construction traffic
Census estimates put Clermont at 52,812 people in July 2025, up 22.8% since 2020, after the population grew by more than 250% between 2000 and 2020. New subdivisions bring road work and busy junctions on State Road 50 and US 27. Ask what is planned for any vacant land next to a home you like.
Limited public transit
LakeXpress runs bus routes along State Road 50 and south on US 27 toward Four Corners, but it does not cover most residential streets and there is no rail link into Orlando. In practice, most households need a car for each working adult, and MIT estimates transportation for one adult in Lake County at $9,626 a year.
Prices outpace local wages
MIT's living wage for one adult with no children in Lake County is $50,574 a year before tax. Typical Clermont rent of $2,058 a month would take about 49% of that income. The standard 30% guideline implies about $82,320 a year to rent the typical home comfortably, above the Lake County median household income of $73,161.
What Clermont is like day to day
Climate by season
These are NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals for the Clermont 9 S station, south of the city.
| Season | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec to Feb) | 72.4°F to 75.3°F | 49.0°F to 52.6°F | 7.92 in |
| Spring (Mar to May) | 79.4°F to 89.8°F | 55.5°F to 66.7°F | 9.33 in |
| Summer (Jun to Aug) | 92.2°F to 93.6°F | 72.3°F to 74.4°F | 23.48 in |
| Fall (Sep to Nov) | 79.4°F to 91.1°F | 58.2°F to 73.2°F | 9.91 in |
Winters are mild and dry, and January is the coolest month. Summer is hot, humid and wet, and August is the wettest month at 8.09 inches. Hurricane season runs from June to November.
Getting around
State Road 50 is the main east-west road toward Winter Garden and Orlando, and US 27 is the main north-south road through south Lake County. Toll roads to the east cut drive times for some trips, so price a toll transponder into a commuting budget. LakeXpress buses run along SR 50 and US 27, but most trips are by car.
Things to do
Most free time here happens outdoors: paddling and swimming at Waterfront Park, cycling the hills around Sugarloaf Mountain, and running or riding the trail system into west Orange County. Downtown Clermont has restaurants, shops, the Art League and City Hall, and its Historic Village has restored buildings including the Townsend House. The 1956 Florida Citrus Tower is a local landmark with views over the lakes, and the Presidents Hall of Fame has a White House replica. The National Training Center hosts races through the year.
Healthcare and schooling
Orlando Health South Lake Hospital covers emergency and most routine care locally, with larger Orlando Health hospitals in the metro. Public schools are run by Lake County Schools, and the Clermont ZIP code guide helps you match addresses to areas. School zones follow the address, not the ZIP, so confirm zoning with the district for any home you shortlist.
What salary do you need to live in Clermont?
MIT's Living Wage Calculator (updated February 2026) estimates what a household in Lake County needs before tax to cover basic costs. It uses federal rent benchmarks, which are lower than Zillow's typical rent, so treat it as a floor.
| Household | Living wage before tax |
|---|---|
| 1 adult, no children | $50,574 a year ($24.31 an hour) |
| 1 adult, 1 child | $80,495 a year |
| 2 adults (1 working), no children | $66,675 a year |
| 2 adults (both working), 2 children | $109,659 a year combined |
Now add housing at Clermont prices. Zillow's typical rent of $2,058 a month means about $82,320 a year of income under the 30% guideline. Buying the typical $428,604 home with 20% down costs about $2,288 a month in principal and interest, plus about $538 a month in estimated property tax with homestead and about $195 a month at Citizens' Lake County average premium. That is roughly $3,021 a month before HOA or CDD fees, which needs about $120,840 a year at 30%.
Is $50,000 a year enough to live in Clermont?
It matches MIT's living wage for one adult, but the typical rent would take about 49% of gross pay. At $50,000 you would likely need a roommate, a smaller apartment or an older condo. See our Clermont condos guide.
Is $75,000 or $100,000 enough?
At $75,000 the typical rent is about 33% of gross income, which is workable but tight. At $100,000 it is about 25%, and buying the typical home at about $3,021 a month would be about 36%, so a lower-priced resale or a larger down payment would bring it closer to the guideline. Our Clermont cost of living guide has the full breakdown.
Why people are moving to (and leaving) Clermont
Clermont keeps growing. The Census Bureau estimates the city added about 9,800 people between the April 2020 base and July 2025, reaching 52,812, a 22.8% rise. Lake County as a whole grew 18.8% over the same period to 456,068.
Almost all of that growth is people moving in. In the year to July 2025, Lake County added 12,614 residents: 12,230 from net domestic migration (people moving from elsewhere in the US) and 1,512 from international migration, while deaths exceeded births by 1,096. The main draws are the ones in the pros above: lower prices than Orange County, newer homes and the hills and lakes.
The Census Bureau does not publish city-level figures on who leaves, only the net change. The signs of cooling are in the housing numbers instead: Zillow's typical Clermont value has fallen from $455,254 in August 2024 to $428,604, and across the Orlando metro 28% of listings had a price cut in August 2026. People who leave usually cite the trade-offs in the cons list, especially commuting and ownership costs.
Is Clermont a good place to retire?
Clermont has more age-restricted housing than most towns its size, a hospital in the city and no state income tax on pensions or retirement account withdrawals. The costs to plan around are insurance, CDD fees in newer 55+ communities and hurricane preparation.
- 55+ communities: Kings Ridge is a gated 55+ community of 2,088 homes built from 1995 to 2000. Del Webb Lakehaven listed new homes from $404,990 in September 2026, and Lennar builds Sanctuary at Wellness Ridge within the Wellness Ridge CDD. Compare them in our Clermont 55+ communities guide.
- Healthcare: Orlando Health South Lake Hospital has an emergency department plus cardiovascular, stroke and orthopedic services, and the National Training Center offers outpatient rehabilitation.
- Taxes: a homestead exemption takes $25,000 off assessed value for all taxes and up to a further $26,411 for non-school taxes in 2026, and the Save Our Homes cap limits yearly assessment increases.
- Budget: MIT puts the living wage for a two-adult household with no children and one earner at $66,675 a year, which assumes rent. An owned home without a mortgage costs much less month to month, but still carries tax, insurance and dues.
Where to live in Clermont
Clermont splits into a few clear home types. Our Clermont neighborhoods guide covers them in more depth.
- Downtown and Lake Minneola: older homes within reach of Waterfront Park and the trail.
- Legends: an established golf community.
- Kings Ridge: gated 55+ resale homes with two golf courses.
- Bella Collina: a gated golf and lake community in Montverde, north of Clermont.
- Wellness Way: the new-construction corridor in south Clermont, where CDDs are common.
Nearby towns widen the choice: Minneola to the north, Groveland to the west and Montverde, home to Bella Collina, also to the north.
Should you move to Clermont?
Weigh these trade-offs against your own plans rather than a general verdict:
- Commute: time the drive from each shortlisted street at rush hour. More than a quarter of Clermont workers already commute 45 minutes or more.
- Total monthly cost: add principal and interest, property tax, insurance, HOA and CDD for each home. A cheaper list price can cost more a month.
- City or unincorporated: Clermont's 2025 total millage was 16.6766 inside city limits, and unincorporated parcels pay different rates.
- Heat and storms: check the roof age, wind mitigation report and flood zone, and plan for summer electric bills.
- New or resale: new homes bring warranties and CDD debt, while older homes may need a roof, HVAC or windows.
- Rent first: renting for a year lets you test commutes and areas, at the cost of a second move.
If you want to talk through specific areas, we can introduce you to a local agent. Our Clermont relocation guide covers the move itself.
Common questions
Is Clermont, FL a wealthy area?+
By income and home value, Clermont sits a little above state and national medians. The American Community Survey (2020 to 2024) puts Clermont's median household income at $82,306, against $74,568 for Florida and $80,734 for the US, and its median owner-reported home value at $418,400. Zillow's typical home value was $428,604 in August 2026. Values vary widely between older in-town streets and luxury communities.
What are the pros and cons of living in Clermont, Florida?+
The main pros are lower prices than west Orange County, rolling hills and lakes, a large trail system, a local hospital and college campus, and no state income tax. The main cons are long commutes (27.4% of workers travel 45 minutes or more), summer heat, hurricane exposure, rising insurance and CDD fees on many newer homes. Weigh each against your commute and budget.
How is the crime rate in Clermont, Florida?+
In 2023, the last full year it reported to the FBI, the Clermont Police Department recorded 91 violent offenses and 789 property offenses, or about 189 and 1,638 per 100,000 residents. The FBI's national rates for 2023 in the same dataset were about 386 and 1,951. These are reported offenses within city limits only, so for a specific street check recent Clermont Police or Lake County Sheriff data.
Is Clermont cheaper than Orlando?+
It depends on the measure. Zillow's typical home value in August 2026 was $428,604 in Clermont and $371,120 in the City of Orlando, but Clermont is cheaper than Winter Garden at $566,535. Typical rent was $2,058 in Clermont and $1,896 in Orlando. Clermont's newer housing stock and larger homes explain much of the gap.
How hot does Clermont get in summer?+
NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals for the Clermont 9 S station show a July average high of 93.6 degrees and an average of about 113 days a year at 90 degrees or hotter. Summer nights stay in the mid 70s. June to September also brings more than half of the year's 50.64 inches of rain, mainly from afternoon thunderstorms.
Is Clermont growing?+
Yes. The Census Bureau estimates Clermont's population at 52,812 in July 2025, up 22.8% from the 2020 base of 42,992. Lake County grew by 12,614 people in the year to July 2025, almost all from people moving in from elsewhere in the US. Home prices have eased since 2024, with Zillow's typical value down 2.3% in the year to August 2026.
Does Clermont get hurricanes?+
Clermont is inland, so storm surge is not a concern, but hurricanes still bring damaging wind, heavy rain and power cuts. Duke Energy Florida says hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 led to nearly 2 million reported power outages across its service area. Check the roof, wind mitigation features and flood zone for any home you consider.
Sources
- Zillow Research: Home value and rent data (ZHVI, ZORI), August 2026
- Freddie Mac: Primary Mortgage Market Survey
- US Census Bureau: City and town population estimates, Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025)
- US Census Bureau: County population estimates and components of change, Vintage 2025
- Census Reporter: ACS 2024 5-year data for Clermont, Lake County, Florida and US (B19013, B25077, B08303)
- MIT Living Wage Calculator: Lake County, Florida
- NOAA NCEI: 1991-2020 monthly normals, Clermont 9 S (USC00081641)
- NOAA NCEI: 1991-2020 annual normals, Clermont 9 S (USC00081641)
- FBI Crime Data Explorer: Clermont Police Department (FL0350300) violent crime
- FBI Crime Data Explorer: Clermont Police Department (FL0350300) property crime
- Florida Department of Revenue: Discretionary sales surtax rates (DR-15DSS)
- Florida Department of Revenue: Additional homestead exemption CPI adjustment
- Lake County Property Appraiser: 2025 millage sheet
- Citizens Property Insurance: 2026 Recommended Rate Filing
- Duke Energy: Two years after the storms, Duke Energy Florida powers customers with a stronger grid (Sept 2026)
- Orlando Health South Lake Hospital
- National Training Center
- Lake-Sumter State College: South Lake Campus
- Wikipedia: Clermont, Florida
- Wikipedia: West Orange Trail
- Wellness Way: official site and FAQ
- Wellness Ridge CDD: FY2027 adopted budget (PDF)
- Lennar: New homes in Clermont
- Pulte: New homes in Clermont
- Del Webb: Clermont
- 55places: Kings Ridge