Augusta GA vs Gainesville FL — 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Gainesville
21.6%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 143,611 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 32.8% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 56.5% | 21.6% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Gainesville
$30,282
Gainesville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $45,611 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $30,282 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 28.0% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Gainesville
$299,633
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $299,633 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 38.5% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Gainesville
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Gainesville
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Gainesville
11.8%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 68.9°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 47.3 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Augusta leads in median household income at $53,134, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 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