Augusta GA vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Augusta +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.1 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 5.9% | Detroit + |
| White | 32.8% | 11.7% | Augusta + |
| Black | 56.5% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.6% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 8.0% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Augusta +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Augusta +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Augusta +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $39,575 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $24,029 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 14.1% | Augusta + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 31.5% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 17.6% | Augusta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Detroit
49.7%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 49.7% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Detroit
11.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 45.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 22.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 50.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Augusta +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Augusta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 27.3 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Augusta leads in median household income at $53,134, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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