Augusta GA vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Cary
176,686
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Cary
7.6%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 176,686 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 39.8 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 32.8% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 56.5% | 7.6% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 9.3% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $629,864 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Cary
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Cary
1999
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Cary
25.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Cary
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Cary
12.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Cary
6.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Cary
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Cary
7.7%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 59.4°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 46.3 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Cary
24.3 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 24.3 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, 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 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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