Augusta GA vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Augusta
32.8%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
St. Louis
43.1%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.6 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 32.8% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 56.5% | 43.1% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 5.1% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
St. Louis
$185,100
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $185,100 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 45.4% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Augusta, GA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 501 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2418 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | St. Louis, MO | 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
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 24.0 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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