Augusta GA vs Fort Wayne IN — 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%
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.0 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 32.8% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 56.5% | 14.6% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 28.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $245,993 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Augusta +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Augusta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 22.8 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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