Augusta GA vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Winston-Salem +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 118,578 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.5 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 5.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| White | 32.8% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 56.5% | 14.9% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.3% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $265,013 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 46.8% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Winston-Salem, 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
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, 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 Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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