Augusta GA vs Boise ID — 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%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.2 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 7.2% | Boise + |
| White | 32.8% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 56.5% | 1.4% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.4% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 9.5% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $81,308 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $48,274 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,074 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 10.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $504,894 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 49.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 18.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Augusta, GA vs New York, NYAugusta, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAugusta, GA vs Chicago, ILAugusta, GA vs Houston, TXAugusta, GA vs Phoenix, AZAugusta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA