The Clermont water tower along US-27, landmark of Lake County's fastest-growing city.
Short answer: Clermont is where Central Florida buyers go when they want more home for the money without leaving the Orlando metro. It sits about 22 miles west of downtown Orlando in Lake County's hill-and-lake country (yes, Florida has hills here) with a median sale price of $450,000, a walkable lakefront downtown, and some of the fastest population growth in the region. Below is what I tell my own buyers about living in Clermont in 2026: prices, neighborhoods, schools, the commute, and how it stacks up against Winter Garden next door.
- It's the value play of the west Orlando metro: more square footage and bigger lots than Winter Garden, in exchange for a slightly longer commute.
- Clermont's median sale price over the last twelve months is $440,340, down 3.2% against the year before, and the typical home went under contract in 39 days.
- The landscape is genuinely different, rolling hills, the Clermont Chain of Lakes, and a waterfront downtown with the South Lake Trail running through it.
- Growth is the trade-off: one of Central Florida's fastest-growing cities means new construction everywhere and building traffic on US-27 and SR-50.
- Lake County Schools serves the city; zoning shifts as new schools open, so verify the zoned schools for any specific address before you offer.
Who Clermont Fits, and Who It Doesn't
Strong fit: families prioritizing space and budget; active adults (the 55+ inventory is deep and varied); outdoor enthusiasts; remote and hybrid workers who only fight the commute a few days a week; relocation buyers who want newer construction without Osceola-corridor congestion.
Weaker fit: daily downtown-Orlando commuters who hate driving; buyers who want a mature, fully built-out area, Clermont will be under construction for years; nightlife-first households.
Still deciding between towns? We pulled every closed sale between $446,500 and $503,500 in Clermont, Winter Garden and Minneola over the last 12 months and put them side by side: what $475,000 actually buys in each. Square footage, bedrooms, year built, and how many came with a pool.
Where Is Clermont, and What Makes It Different?
Clermont anchors south Lake County, about 22 miles west of downtown Orlando along SR-50 and US-27. Unlike most of flat Central Florida, Clermont sits in genuine hill country, the area around Sugarloaf Mountain is among the highest terrain in peninsular Florida, which is why you'll see cyclists and triathletes training on these roads year-round. The city wraps around the Clermont Chain of Lakes, with Waterfront Park and the historic Citrus Tower as its landmarks.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Clermont's population is roughly 48,000 and has nearly tripled since 2000, one of the fastest growth trajectories in Central Florida. That growth is the single most important thing to understand about living here: it brings new shopping, restaurants, and medical facilities every year, and it also brings construction and traffic.
Clermont Housing Market Snapshot (2026)
To see what is actually on the market rather than what has already sold, browse homes for sale in Clermont, which updates with current inventory.
Over the last twelve months 1,937 homes sold in Clermont at a median of $440,340, down 3.2% against the twelve months before. In July 2026 the median was $450,000 across 199 closed sales, and the typical home went under contract in 39 days. There are 675 active residential listings in the city as of August 30, 2026. That combination, flat prices, rising inventory, longer market times, is the same buyer-leaning pattern we're tracking across all four counties we serve, and it mirrors the broader trend in our Central Florida housing market hub.
For buyers, that means negotiating room. A meaningful share of Clermont listings have already taken at least one price cut, you can browse the current price-reduced homes in Lake County to see where sellers are adjusting. With mortgage rates still elevated by historical standards (track the current average via Freddie Mac's weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey), sellers who price at 2022 levels sit; sellers who price to today's market move.
Rough price tiers as of mid-2026:
| Segment | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Condos & townhomes | $200K to $350K | Entry point; strongest fit for first-time buyers and downsizers |
| Established single-family | $350K to $475K | The heart of the market; 1990s to 2010s communities |
| New construction | $400K to $550K+ | Heavy builder activity along the US-27 corridor |
| Lakefront & premium | $500K to $1M+ | Chain of Lakes access, Lake Louisa area, golf communities |
Best Neighborhoods in Clermont, FL: Communities to Know
- Kings Ridge, established 55+ golf community; one of the most affordable ways into Clermont, with most homes well under the city median.
- Summit Greens, gated 55+ community with clubhouse amenities, close to shopping on SR-50.
- Heritage Hills, Mediterranean-style 55+ community in the hills south of SR-50.
- Lake Louisa corridor, south Clermont near Lake Louisa State Park; newer communities and some of the city's premium price points.
- Downtown / Waterfront district, older character homes within walking distance of Waterfront Park, the South Lake Trail, and the farmers market.
- US-27 new-construction corridor, the growth engine; multiple active builder communities heading south toward Four Corners.
Note for 55+ shoppers: Clermont has an unusually deep bench of active-adult communities for a city its size, it's worth comparing two or three before committing, because HOA fees and amenity packages vary widely.
Clermont vs. Winter Garden: The Honest Comparison
This is the question I hear most from west-side buyers. The two cities are 15 minutes apart but compete for the same families.
| Clermont (Lake County) | Winter Garden (Orange County) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price for equivalent home | Lower, more square footage and lot for the budget | Higher, you pay a premium for location |
| Downtown | Lakefront, trail-connected, growing restaurant scene | Plant Street, the benchmark downtown in the west metro |
| Commute to Orlando | Longer; SR-50 or Turnpike | Shorter; SR-429 direct |
| Landscape | Hills, chain of lakes, state park | Flatter, master-planned (Horizon West) |
| School district | Lake County Schools | Orange County Public Schools |
| Best fit | Value, space, outdoor lifestyle, 55+ options | Walkable downtown premium, shortest commute |
My plain-English version: if the Plant Street lifestyle and a shorter commute are worth roughly a county-line price premium to you, Winter Garden wins. If you'd rather put that premium into the house itself, or into a lake view, Clermont wins.
Schools, Commute, and Day-to-Day Life
Schools: Clermont is served by Lake County Schools. Because the city is growing fast, attendance zones shift as new schools open, verify the current zoned schools for any specific address directly with the district before you write an offer. We do this as a standard step for every buyer we represent here.
Commute: Downtown Orlando runs 35 to 50 minutes in rush hour via SR-50 or the Turnpike. The Disney/attractions corridor is typically 25 to 35 minutes south on US-27. SR-429 access on the east side of the area has meaningfully improved trips to Winter Garden, the airport, and the parks.
Lifestyle: This is Clermont's quiet superpower. The South Lake Trail connects downtown to the West Orange Trail network, Waterfront Park hosts triathlons and the weekly farmers market, Lake Louisa State Park offers 4,500+ acres of trails and paddling, and the National Training Center draws amateur and professional athletes. If your weekends involve a bike, a paddleboard, or running shoes, very little in the Orlando metro competes.
Is Clermont, FL Safe?
Clermont's reported violent crime rate for 2023 was 188.9 offenses per 100,000 residents, against 280.8 for Florida as a whole. Property crime ran the other direction, at 1,637.6 per 100,000 against the state's 1,330.2.
Those two numbers together are the honest answer. Violent crime in Clermont runs 32.73% below the Florida rate, while property crime runs 23.11% above it. In practical terms that points at theft from unlocked vehicles, package and garage theft, and job-site theft in the newer communities that are still building out, rather than at violence. If you are moving here, the habit worth bringing is closing the garage and locking the car, not avoiding a part of town.
Figures are reported offenses from the FBI Crime Data Explorer for the Clermont Police Department (ORI FL0350300), for 2023, which is the most recent year the department reported all twelve months. The 2024 file was still incomplete when this was written, so a single-year comparison is the fairest read available.
Cost of Living in Clermont, FL
Housing is the line that actually moves a Central Florida budget, and Clermont is not the inexpensive part of Lake County. Across 675 active residential listings on August 30, 2026, the median asking price was $469,900, or $224 per square foot. Lake County as a whole sits at $389,900 and $206.
That is a 20.52% premium over its own county on price, and 8.74% on a per square foot basis. What the premium buys is the elevation and the chain of lakes, newer construction on the south and west sides, and a shorter run to the Turnpike and SR-429 than most of Lake County can offer.
Florida charges no state income tax, so in a Florida budget the property tax line matters more than it would elsewhere, and a homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of a primary residence. Millage varies by taxing district inside Clermont, so treat any single quoted rate as an estimate until the specific parcel is checked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clermont, FL a good place to live?
Yes, Clermont offers more home for the money than most of the Orlando metro, with rolling hills, a chain of lakes, a walkable waterfront, and a roughly 22-mile commute to downtown Orlando. The trade-off is growth: it is one of the fastest-growing cities in Central Florida, so traffic on US-27 and SR-50 is increasing as new communities build out.
What is the median home price in Clermont, FL?
Over the last twelve months 1,937 homes sold in Clermont at a median of $440,340, down 3.2% against the twelve months before. In July 2026 the median was $450,000 across 199 closed sales. Condos and townhomes sell well below that figure, while lakefront and golf-course communities run higher.
Is Clermont cheaper than Winter Garden?
Generally yes. Clermont sits in Lake County and typically offers a lower price per square foot and larger lots than neighboring Winter Garden in Orange County. Winter Garden buyers pay a premium for the Plant Street downtown district and a shorter commute to Orlando; Clermont buyers get more house, hills, and lake access for the same budget.
How far is Clermont from Orlando and the theme parks?
Clermont is about 22 miles west of downtown Orlando via SR-50 or the Florida Turnpike, and roughly 25-35 minutes to the Disney World area via US-27 south depending on traffic. The SR-429 expressway on the east side of the area shortens trips to Winter Garden, the airport corridor, and the attractions.
What school district serves Clermont, FL?
Clermont is served by Lake County Schools. School zoning varies by neighborhood and changes as new schools open in this fast-growing area, so verify the current zoned schools for any specific address directly with Lake County Schools before you buy.
Is Clermont, FL safe?
Violent crime is low here and property crime is not. For 2023, the most recent year with complete reporting, Clermont's violent crime rate was 32.73% below the Florida average while its property crime rate was 23.11% above it, per the FBI Crime Data Explorer. The realistic risk is vehicle, package and job-site theft rather than violence.
What is the cost of living in Clermont, FL?
Housing is the deciding line. Clermont's median asking price is $469,900 against $389,900 for Lake County, a 20.52% premium, and Florida charges no state income tax, which shifts the weight in a household budget onto the property tax line.
Thinking About a Move to Clermont?
If you are weighing Clermont against a neighbouring town on the same budget, start with the numbers: what $475,000 buys in Clermont, Winter Garden and Minneola, built from closed MLS sales and refreshed quarterly.
Comparing Clermont against the north side of the metro? Our Living in Lake Mary guide covers the same ground in Seminole County, including how its prices and school zoning actually work.
I'm Brenden Rendo, Realtor with The Homes In Orlando Team at NextHome Neighborhood Realty, and our team works Lake, Orange, Seminole, and Volusia counties every week, including the weekly price-reduction data that tells us exactly where Clermont sellers are negotiating. If you want a straight answer on what your budget actually buys here versus Winter Garden or anywhere else in the four-county area, call or text 407-616-9019 or reach out through homesinorlando.forsale.
Browse current price-reduced homes in Lake County to see where the deals are this week.
