Augusta 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)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
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
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Clearwater
117,075
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Clearwater
10.2%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 117,075 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 46.4 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 17.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 32.8% | 70.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 56.5% | 10.2% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.6% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $64,440 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $42,934 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 15.4% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 32.5% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Clearwater
$341,503
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $341,503 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 59.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
N/A
Clearwater
33.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Clearwater
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Clearwater
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Clearwater
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Clearwater
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Clearwater
14.0%
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 73.8°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 54.7 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Clearwater
25.3 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 25.3 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. 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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