Moving from Clearwater, FL to Atlanta, GA
It is a 478 mi drive, roughly 8h 54m, between Clearwater, FL and Atlanta, GA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
478 mi Β· 8h 54m by car Β· GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, GA 540, I 475 |
| Major cities en route | Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Gainesville, Lakeland, Tampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Atlanta | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 100.058 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 96.239 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 100.416 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 111.022 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.8% above Clearwater β $339,488 β $385,599 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Atlanta -3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 48.1" |
Annual temperature drops 11.6Β°F moving to Atlanta per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, ATLANTA FULTON CO AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 499,287 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $81,938 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 32.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.16 |
Atlanta households earn about 0.8% more than Clearwater at the median β $64,440 β $81,938 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Atlanta MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 350,210 | $43,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 317,700 | $40,250 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 275,750 | $35,560 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 257,700 | $79,020 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 242,360 | $28,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Atlanta average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.6Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Atlanta, GA from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 478 mi and the route typically takes 8h 54m via I 75 and GA 540. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Atlanta?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,938 in Atlanta vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 27.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Atlanta compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $385,599 in Atlanta vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 13.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Atlanta more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Atlanta is 0.8% lower than Clearwater (100.058 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to Atlanta?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 478 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Atlanta compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Atlanta MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 2,817,660 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL Β· Atlanta, GA.