Augusta GA vs Birmingham AL — 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%
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Birmingham
199,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Birmingham
35.9
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Birmingham
4.4%
Birmingham +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Augusta +
Birmingham
25.6%
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Birmingham
1.4%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
Birmingham
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 199,322 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.9 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 4.4% | Birmingham + |
| White | 32.8% | 25.6% | Augusta + |
| Black | 56.5% | 67.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.4% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 4.9% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Birmingham
$44,376
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
Birmingham
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Birmingham
25.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $44,376 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $31,616 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.1% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 25.2% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 30.7% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Birmingham
45.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $137,201 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 45.1% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Birmingham
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Birmingham
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Birmingham
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Birmingham
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Birmingham
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Birmingham
13.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Birmingham
16.6%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Birmingham
53.7 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 63.3°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 53.7 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Birmingham
23.2 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 23.2 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Augusta leads in median household income at $53,134, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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