Augusta GA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 32.8% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 56.5% | 12.1% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $435,532 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 42.4% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 48.1 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 27.3 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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