Augusta GA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 115,415 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.9 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 32.8% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 56.5% | 5.3% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $441,257 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 49.3% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Manchester
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 44.6 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 25.7 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³).
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