Augusta GA vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Augusta +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 135,887 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.8 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 32.8% | 24.8% | Augusta + |
| Black | 56.5% | 17.1% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.8% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Augusta +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Augusta +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $63,874 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $28,490 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 14.2% | Augusta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $531,592 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 25.4% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Elizabeth
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Elizabeth
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 29.3 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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