Augusta GA vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 98,677 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.0 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 32.8% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 56.5% | 29.0% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $52,671 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $279,668 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 44.5 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Augusta leads in median household income at $53,134, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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