Augusta GA vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Springfield
40.8%
Springfield +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 154,751 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 32.8% | 40.8% | Springfield + |
| Black | 56.5% | 20.0% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Augusta +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Augusta +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Augusta +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $51,339 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $27,054 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 8.2% | Augusta + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 25.3% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 19.7% | Augusta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $298,985 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 49.5% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 22.6 min | Augusta + |
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, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Augusta has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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