Augusta GA vs Carmel IN — 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%
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 100,501 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 40.5 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 32.8% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 56.5% | 3.7% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 5.0% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,697 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $570,592 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 370 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1719 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Carmel
30.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Carmel
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Carmel
12.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Carmel
4.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Carmel
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Carmel
8.2%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 51.6°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 42.2 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Augusta +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Carmel
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Augusta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Carmel
26.4 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 26.4 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Augusta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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