Augusta vs Clearwater
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Clearwater
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 13.6%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $86,798 in Clearwater.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $86,798 in Clearwater.
Conversely, $75,000 in Clearwater equals $64,806 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Clearwater
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Clearwater's 115, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $385,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,625/mo in Clearwater, a monthly difference of $675.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 102 in Clearwater. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta 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 108 in Augusta and 101 in Clearwater. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $404 in Clearwater. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 92 in Clearwater. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,200 in Augusta and $66,400 in Clearwater. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 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 $1,311/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,549/month in Clearwater. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. 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 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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