Augusta GA vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 138,723 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.9 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 32.8% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 56.5% | 1.6% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $671,948 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Ontario
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Ontario
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Ontario
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Ontario
12.0%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 65.5°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 28.2 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 503 in Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 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