Augusta GA vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 32.8% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 56.5% | 37.5% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Augusta +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $46,628 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.9% | Augusta + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 26.6% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $241,627 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 37.2% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
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, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Augusta has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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