Augusta GA vs Bend OR — 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%
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Bend
97,502
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Bend
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Bend
37.6
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Bend
2.8%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Bend
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 97,502 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.6 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 17.6% | Bend + |
| White | 32.8% | 65.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 56.5% | 2.8% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 11.4% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 17.3% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $94,279 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $51,659 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,691 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.2% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 9.9% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 49.3% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Bend
$735,193
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Bend
49.8%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $735,193 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 49.8% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Bend
355
Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Bend
3001
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 355 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3001 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Bend
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Bend
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Bend
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Bend
6.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Bend
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Bend
10.0%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 46.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 11.4 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Bend
26.1 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 26.1 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³).
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