Augusta GA vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 32.8% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 56.5% | 7.1% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $429,253 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 46.6% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Madison
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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