Augusta GA vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Augusta +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Augusta
32.8%
Augusta +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 149,827 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 1.5% | Augusta + |
| White | 32.8% | 14.5% | Augusta + |
| Black | 56.5% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 0.3% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 2.2% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Augusta +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Augusta +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $43,238 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $26,868 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $46,995 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 9.4% | Augusta + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 26.8% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 28.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 48.6% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Jackson
1808
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1808 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Jackson
11.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 46.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 64.6°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 54.1 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Augusta +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Augusta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Augusta leads in median household income at $53,134, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Augusta has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Augusta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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