Augusta GA vs Austin TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Austin
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Austin
7.5%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Austin
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 967,862 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.5 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 18.1% | Austin + |
| White | 32.8% | 59.9% | Austin + |
| Black | 56.5% | 7.5% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 8.6% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 32.2% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $91,461 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $59,427 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.5% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 12.3% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 58.2% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Austin
$511,264
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Austin
44.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $511,264 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 44.4% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Austin
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Austin
2339
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Austin
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Austin
8.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Austin
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Austin
15.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Austin
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Austin
9.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Austin
67.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 67.2°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 34.9 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Austin
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Austin
25.8 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 25.8 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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