Augusta GA vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 32.8% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 56.5% | 22.5% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 4.2% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $240,538 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 47.2% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 25.0 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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