Augusta GA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Tuscaloosa +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 107,699 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 4.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| White | 32.8% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 56.5% | 42.8% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 5.2% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $48,536 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 23.8% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $231,461 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 45.1% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 65.0°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 55.0 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
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, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Augusta, GA vs New York, NYAugusta, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAugusta, GA vs Chicago, ILAugusta, GA vs Houston, TXAugusta, GA vs Phoenix, AZAugusta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA