Augusta GA vs Columbus GA — 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%
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Columbus
35.1
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Columbus
5.3%
Columbus +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Columbus
46.7%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 204,383 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.1 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 5.3% | Columbus + |
| White | 32.8% | 39.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 56.5% | 46.7% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 8.3% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Columbus
$57,405
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $56,622 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $32,811 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,405 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 18.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 29.7% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Columbus
50.2%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $175,194 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 50.2% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Columbus
392
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Columbus
1752
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 392 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1752 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Columbus
40.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Columbus
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Columbus
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Columbus
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Columbus
13.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Columbus
16.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Columbus
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Columbus
49.6 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 64.4°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 49.6 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 21.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Columbus 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