Augusta GA vs Brownsville TX — 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%
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Brownsville
188,023
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Brownsville
0.3%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Brownsville
0.8%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Brownsville
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 188,023 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 30.9 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 27.2% | Brownsville + |
| White | 32.8% | 45.5% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 56.5% | 0.3% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 0.8% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 94.2% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Brownsville
$48,675
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Augusta +
Brownsville
$21,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Brownsville
24.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Augusta +
Brownsville
22.3%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $48,675 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $21,338 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.1% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 24.9% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 22.3% | Augusta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Brownsville
$196,920
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $196,920 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 59.9% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Brownsville
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Brownsville
2339
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Brownsville
40.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Brownsville
18.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Brownsville
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Brownsville
36.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Brownsville
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Brownsville
13.3%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Brownsville
74.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 74.5°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 27.4 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Brownsville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Brownsville
22.2 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Brownsville, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 22.2 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 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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