Augusta GA vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Mobile
3.8%
Mobile +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Mobile
52.9%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 185,097 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.7 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 3.8% | Mobile + |
| White | 32.8% | 39.9% | Mobile + |
| Black | 56.5% | 52.9% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 3.1% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $51,090 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Mobile
$197,044
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $197,044 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Mobile
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Mobile
10.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Mobile
13.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 67.4°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 65.3 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 24.5 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, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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