Augusta GA vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Augusta +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 32.8% | 25.0% | Augusta + |
| Black | 56.5% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.7% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Augusta +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $51,211 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 8.3% | Augusta + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 22.5% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 46.0% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 639 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2350 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Memphis
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 54.9 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 22.9 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Augusta leads in median household income at $53,134, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Augusta has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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