Augusta GA vs High Point NC — 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Augusta
32.8%
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
High Point
32.7%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 115,263 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.8 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 32.8% | 46.1% | High Point + |
| Black | 56.5% | 32.7% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 12.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $61,228 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $34,492 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 33.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
High Point
$251,699
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $251,699 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
High Point
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
High Point
1999
| Metric | Augusta, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
High Point
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
High Point
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
High Point
14.2%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 60.6°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 46.1 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
High Point
22.7 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 22.7 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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