Augusta GA vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 170,013 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 32.8% | 35.5% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 56.5% | 21.4% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Augusta +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Augusta +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $29,766 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 20.1% | Augusta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $466,147 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 33.0 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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