Albany GA vs Augusta GA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Augusta
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Augusta
3.5%
Augusta +
White
Albany
18.9%
Augusta
32.8%
Augusta +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Augusta
56.5%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Augusta
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 201,504 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.9 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 3.5% | Augusta + |
| White | 18.9% | 32.8% | Augusta + |
| Black | 76.3% | 56.5% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.8% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 5.7% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Augusta
$30,230
Augusta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Augusta
$57,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Augusta
7.9%
Augusta +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Augusta
24.2%
Augusta +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $53,134 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $30,230 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 7.9% | Augusta + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 21.1% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 24.2% | Augusta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Augusta
$177,114
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $177,114 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 50.9% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Augusta
392
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Augusta
1752
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 392 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1752 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Augusta
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Augusta
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Augusta
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Augusta
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Augusta
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Augusta
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 63.9°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 43.6 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Augusta
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Augusta
22.1 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.1 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Augusta leads in median household income at $53,134, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Augusta has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Augusta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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