Albany vs Clearwater
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albany
Clearwater
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 3.9%, with Albany being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Albany has equivalent purchasing power to $78,030 in Clearwater.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Albany has the same purchasing power as $78,030 in Clearwater.
Conversely, $75,000 in Clearwater equals $72,087 in Albany.
Living in Albany vs Clearwater
Housing Costs
Albany's housing index of 93 is lower Clearwater's 115, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $385,000. The $165,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,728 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Albany compared to $1,625/mo in Clearwater, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 102 in Clearwater. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $485/month in Clearwater. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Albany and 101 in Clearwater. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany vs $404 in Clearwater. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Albany and 92 in Clearwater. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,098 in Albany and $66,400 in Clearwater. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 and $64,466 respectively. Clearwater residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,006/month to housing in Albany vs $1,549/month in Clearwater. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Clearwater, median rent of $1,625/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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