Augusta GA vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Columbia
12.1%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 127,200 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 8.1% | Columbia + |
| White | 32.8% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 56.5% | 12.1% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 4.3% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $64,488 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $37,359 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,527 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 20.0% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Columbia
$323,876
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $323,876 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 49.4% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 501 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2418 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Columbia
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Columbia
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Columbia
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 56.0°F | Columbia + |
| 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
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Columbia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, 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 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 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