Augusta GA vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 32.8% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 56.5% | 2.7% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $580,126 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 46.8% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1931 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Salt Lake City
7.9%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³).
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