Augusta GA vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.6 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 32.8% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 56.5% | 32.4% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $419,326 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Wilmington
63.8°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 58.4 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 23.2 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, 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 398 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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