Augusta GA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Augusta
32.8%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 119,508 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 40.2 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 32.8% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 56.5% | 31.5% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $399,650 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 50.2% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
West Palm Beach
13.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 75.4°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 62.3 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 25.0 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 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