Augusta GA vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 32.8% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 56.5% | 28.1% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,697 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Indianapolis
$232,133
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $232,133 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Augusta +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Augusta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 25.8 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Augusta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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