Philadelphia, PA vs Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA

Cost of Living Comparison — 2026

Renters in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA spend a smaller share of their income on housing. Median household income is 12% higher in Philadelphia, PA. Home prices in Philadelphia, PA run 30% higher.

$60,698
Income in Philadelphia
$53,134
Income in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance)
$1,323
Rent in Philadelphia
$1,087
Rent in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance)

Detailed Comparison

Metric
Philadelphia, PA
Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA
Difference
Median Household Income
$60,698
$53,134
12% lower
Median Home Value
$232,400
$162,900
30% less
Median Monthly Rent
$1,323
$1,087
18% less
Median Monthly Housing Costs
$1,233
$1,053
15% less
Unemployment Rate
8.4%
7.3%
13% less
Population
1,582,432
201,504

Housing Costs and Affordability

A common benchmark is spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing. In Philadelphia, PA, renters allocate roughly 26.2% of median household income to rent (within that threshold). In Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA, the figure is 24.5% , making Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA the easier city for renters on a budget.

For prospective homebuyers, the price-to-income ratio tells you how many years of gross income it takes to match the median home price. In Philadelphia, PA, that ratio is 3.8x. Homes cost 3.8 times the median annual income. In Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA, it's 3.1x. Homeownership is relatively more accessible in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA.

Monthly housing costs (rent plus utilities) average $1,233 in Philadelphia and $1,053 in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance). These figures include renters paying utilities separately from rent.

Income and Labor Market

Median household income in Philadelphia, PA is $60,698; in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA it is $53,134. That's a $7,564 gap, but income alone doesn't tell the full story without accounting for local costs.

Unemployment stands at 8.4% in Philadelphia and 7.3% in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance). Labor force participation (the share of the population working or actively job-seeking) is 51.2% in Philadelphia versus 49.3% in Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance).

Population

Philadelphia, PA has a population of 1,582,432, making it the larger of the two cities. Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA has 201,504 residents. City size affects everything from transit options and job market depth to cost pressures. Larger metros typically see higher housing demand.

Data Sources

All data is from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Income, housing, and employment figures represent the most recent available estimates. Data is refreshed as new Census releases become available.

Verify this data at data.census.gov