Augusta GA vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.6 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 32.8% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 56.5% | 5.8% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $538,687 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3001 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Portland
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 78.3 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 26.5 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³).
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