Augusta GA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.5 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 32.8% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 56.5% | 6.6% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $871,599 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 44.3% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Seattle
22.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Seattle
6.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Seattle
6.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Seattle
6.5%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 28.8 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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