Augusta GA vs Charlotte 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%
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Charlotte
34.1%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 886,283 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.4 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 18.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 32.8% | 41.5% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 56.5% | 34.1% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 6.3% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 17.0% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $78,438 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $49,991 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 11.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 47.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Charlotte
$399,070
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $399,070 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 51.5% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Charlotte
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Charlotte
1999
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Charlotte
10.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Charlotte
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Charlotte
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Charlotte
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Charlotte
11.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 59.9°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 41.6 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Charlotte
26.7 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 26.7 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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