Augusta GA vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 44,998 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 57.8 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 32.8% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 56.5% | 5.4% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Augusta +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 8.2% | Augusta + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $503,393 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Palmdale, 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
Palmdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 63.5°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 24.1 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Augusta has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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