Augusta GA vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Augusta
32.8%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
North Charleston
42.2%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 117,460 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 32.8% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 56.5% | 42.2% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $54,550 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $313,219 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 48.5% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Augusta, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | North Charleston, SC | 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
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 26.8 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, 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 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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