Augusta GA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.1 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 32.8% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 56.5% | 39.9% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Augusta +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 8.4% | Augusta + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 22.0% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $233,814 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 48.5 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 34.5 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Augusta has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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