Augusta GA vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 32.8% | 36.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 56.5% | 38.6% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Augusta +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $51,888 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $29,679 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 23.3% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $226,456 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 41.5% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 24.1 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Augusta leads in median household income at $53,134, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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