Augusta GA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 149,519 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 41.6 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 32.8% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 56.5% | 4.8% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $422,520 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 450 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2150 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Surprise
14.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 32.8 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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