Athens 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Augusta
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Augusta
34.9
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Augusta
3.5%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Augusta
32.8%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Augusta
1.8%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Augusta
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Augusta
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 201,504 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.9 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 3.5% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 32.8% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 56.5% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.8% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 5.7% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Augusta
$30,230
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Augusta
$57,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Augusta
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Augusta
24.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $53,134 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $30,230 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.9% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 21.1% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 24.2% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $177,114 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 50.9% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Augusta
392
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Augusta
1752
Tie
| Metric | Athens, 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
Athens
N/A
Augusta
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Augusta
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Augusta
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Augusta
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Augusta
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Augusta
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Augusta
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 63.9°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 43.6 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Augusta
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, 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
Athens
22.3 min
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 22.1 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Augusta leads in median household income at $53,134, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Augusta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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