Augusta GA vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Augusta
32.8%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 100,731 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.0 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 32.8% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 56.5% | 6.0% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.5% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Augusta +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $56,025 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $30,475 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.6% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 16.8% | Augusta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $439,767 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 40.0% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 22.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 51.9 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 27.2 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. New Bedford has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Augusta, GA vs New York, NYAugusta, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAugusta, GA vs Chicago, ILAugusta, GA vs Houston, TXAugusta, GA vs Phoenix, AZAugusta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA