Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Clearwater
117,075
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Clearwater
17.0%
White
Austin
59.9%
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Clearwater
3.6%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Clearwater
17.1%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 117,075 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 46.4 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 17.0% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 70.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 7.5% | 10.2% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 3.6% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 17.1% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Clearwater
$64,440
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Clearwater
$42,934
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Clearwater
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Clearwater
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Clearwater
32.5%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $64,440 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $42,934 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.7% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 15.4% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 32.5% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $341,503 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 59.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Clearwater
33.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Clearwater
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Clearwater
14.0%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.3% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.5% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.7% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.6% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.0% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Austin +
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 73.8°F | Austin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 54.7 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.3 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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