Augusta GA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Augusta
32.8%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 102,866 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 32.8% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 56.5% | 24.4% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.7% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Augusta +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $52,512 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $29,511 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 22.6% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
South Bend
$194,972
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $194,972 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Augusta +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Augusta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
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, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Augusta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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