Augusta GA vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 114,799 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.5 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 32.8% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 56.5% | 10.8% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $484,226 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 44.0% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lowell
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 47.0 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 30.1 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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