Augusta GA vs Knoxville TN — 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 193,721 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 7.0% | Knoxville + |
| White | 32.8% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 56.5% | 15.7% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.6% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 7.5% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $50,994 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $33,171 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 20.5% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $371,202 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 46.6% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 639 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2350 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 22.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 51.9 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Augusta leads in median household income at $53,134, 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 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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