Augusta GA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 26,509 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.7 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 32.8% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 56.5% | 3.6% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 3.9% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $344,633 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1992 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
14.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 28.3 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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