Augusta GA vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 121,944 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.4 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 5.3% | Independence + |
| White | 32.8% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 56.5% | 10.8% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.4% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Augusta +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 20.9% | Augusta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Independence
$210,384
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $210,384 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 501 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2418 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 43.7 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 25.5 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, 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 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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