Augusta GA vs Huntsville AL — 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%
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Huntsville
29.7%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.4 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 6.6% | Huntsville + |
| White | 32.8% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 56.5% | 29.7% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.0% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 8.1% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $288,707 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Huntsville
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Huntsville
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Huntsville
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Huntsville
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Huntsville
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Huntsville
12.6%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 62.1°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 54.3 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, 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 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 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