Athens GA vs Clearwater FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Clearwater
117,075
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
White
Athens
57.6%
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Clearwater
10.2%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Clearwater
3.6%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 117,075 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 46.4 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 17.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 57.6% | 70.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 26.2% | 10.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.6% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Clearwater
32.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $64,440 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $42,934 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 15.4% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 32.5% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $341,503 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 59.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Clearwater
33.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Clearwater
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Clearwater
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Clearwater
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Clearwater
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Clearwater
14.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 73.8°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 54.7 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Clearwater
25.3 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 25.3 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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