Augusta GA vs Billings MT — 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%
Billings, MT
Montana · Population: 118,321
- Median HH Income$71,855
- Median Home Price$398,212
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+37.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Augusta +
Billings
2.0%
White
Augusta
32.8%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 118,321 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.1 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 2.0% | Augusta + |
| White | 32.8% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 56.5% | 1.0% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 0.9% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 7.2% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $71,855 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $42,639 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $62,117 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 37.0% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Billings
$398,212
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $398,212 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Billings
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Billings
1984
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 433 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1984 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Billings
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Billings
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Billings
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Billings
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Billings
14.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 47.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 14.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Billings
75.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Billings + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, 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 Billings. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³).
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