Augusta GA vs Salem 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 176,666 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.7 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 32.8% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 56.5% | 1.6% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $438,754 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3001 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 24.5 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³).
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