Augusta GA vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.2 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 32.8% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 56.5% | 14.4% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $52,606 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $332,727 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 45.2 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 22.5 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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