Augusta GA vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Meridian
4.8%
Meridian +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 124,865 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.4 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 4.8% | Meridian + |
| White | 32.8% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 56.5% | 1.6% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $57,074 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $534,732 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Meridian
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 23.6 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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