Augusta GA vs Dayton 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%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Dayton
38.0%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 136,741 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 5.0% | Dayton + |
| White | 32.8% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 56.5% | 38.0% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.2% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 5.5% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Augusta +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Augusta +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Augusta +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $43,454 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $26,381 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,300 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 9.7% | Augusta + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 27.1% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 20.7% | Augusta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 48.2% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Dayton
1866
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1866 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Dayton
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Augusta +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Dayton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Dayton, 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 +
Dayton
22.2 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 22.2 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Augusta leads in median household income at $53,134, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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).
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