Augusta GA vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 32.8% | 35.5% | Houston + |
| Black | 56.5% | 22.9% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $265,062 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 42.0% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 48.7 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 29.6 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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