Augusta GA vs Baton Rouge LA — 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%
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 223,699 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 31.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 7.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 32.8% | 36.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 56.5% | 51.0% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 6.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Augusta +
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $49,944 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $33,415 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $55,297 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 9.0% | Augusta + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 25.0% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 35.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Baton Rouge
46.9%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $231,011 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 46.9% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Baton Rouge
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Baton Rouge
2824
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 643 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2824 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Baton Rouge
21.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Baton Rouge
16.7%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Baton Rouge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 64.8 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 23.1 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 643 in Baton Rouge. Augusta has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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