Augusta GA vs Baltimore MD — 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%
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Baltimore
36.1
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Augusta +
Baltimore
27.4%
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 577,193 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.1 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 8.8% | Baltimore + |
| White | 32.8% | 27.4% | Augusta + |
| Black | 56.5% | 60.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.5% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 7.9% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $59,623 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $39,195 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $70,886 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.6% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 20.1% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 35.4% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Baltimore
$191,668
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Baltimore
47.5%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $191,668 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 47.5% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Baltimore
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 433 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1724 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Baltimore
38.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Baltimore
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Baltimore
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Baltimore
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Baltimore
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Baltimore
16.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 55.1°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 41.9 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Baltimore
31.6 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 31.6 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, 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 433 in Baltimore. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
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