Augusta GA vs Cleveland OH — 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%
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Cleveland
36.3
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Cleveland
46.8%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 367,523 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.3 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 6.1% | Cleveland + |
| White | 32.8% | 36.7% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 56.5% | 46.8% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.3% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 12.8% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Cleveland
$39,187
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Augusta +
Cleveland
$27,078
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Augusta +
Cleveland
11.5%
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Cleveland
30.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Augusta +
Cleveland
21.3%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $39,187 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $27,078 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,300 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 11.5% | Augusta + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 30.8% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 21.3% | Augusta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Cleveland
41.2%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $117,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 41.2% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Cleveland
1866
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1866 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Cleveland
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Cleveland
17.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Cleveland
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Cleveland
13.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Cleveland
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Cleveland
21.5%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 52.7°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 36.4 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Augusta +
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Cleveland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Augusta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Cleveland
24.3 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 24.3 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Augusta leads in median household income at $53,134, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Augusta has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Augusta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 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