Augusta GA vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 82,506 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 48.4 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 32.8% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 56.5% | 8.8% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $312,001 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 72.6°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 54.8 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 25.6 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Augusta, GA vs New York, NYAugusta, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAugusta, GA vs Chicago, ILAugusta, GA vs Houston, TXAugusta, GA vs Phoenix, AZAugusta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA