Augusta GA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Augusta +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Newark
46.7%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 32.8% | 16.5% | Augusta + |
| Black | 56.5% | 46.7% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Augusta +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Augusta +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Augusta +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $48,416 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $25,509 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 10.9% | Augusta + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 24.7% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 17.4% | Augusta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $482,675 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 24.1% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 46.3 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Augusta has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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