Augusta GA vs Columbia SC — 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, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Columbia
5.1%
Columbia +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Columbia
39.5%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 138,019 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 5.1% | Columbia + |
| White | 32.8% | 49.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 56.5% | 39.5% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 5.7% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $55,653 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $54,550 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.6% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 23.3% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Columbia
$229,993
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $229,993 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 47.3% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Columbia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Columbia
1999
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, SC | 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
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 66.7°F | Augusta + |
| 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
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, 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 Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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