Augusta GA vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Augusta +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 32.8% | 28.7% | Augusta + |
| Black | 56.5% | 21.4% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $664,939 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 28.8% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Jersey City
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Jersey City
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Jersey City
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Jersey City
10.3%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 40.3 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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