Compare towns

Augusta vs Jackson vs Auburn

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Augusta has the most affordable homes ($201k median).
Jackson has grown the fastest since 2010 (+26%).
Auburn has the most kids (21.4% under 18).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureAugustaJacksonAuburn
People
Population
19,077
897Lowest
24,602Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+26%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
42.5±2.4
9% above U.S.
60.5±2.5Highest
56% above U.S.
41.4±2.7Lowest
6% above U.S.
Kids under 18
18.9%±2.6
U.S.: 22%
4.1%±4.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.4%±2.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
Auburn and Augusta are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.5%±2.6
U.S.: 17.2%
28.4%±6.4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.8%±2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Jackson and Augusta are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
28.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
67.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
27.8%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.6%±1.1
U.S.: 6.4%
3%±3.4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.6%±1.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Auburn and Augusta are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$47,979±$3kLowest
41% below U.S.
$117,986±$46kHighest
46% above U.S.
$66,647±$5k
17% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$201,000±$18kLowest
40% below U.S.
$719,300±$109kHighest
116% above U.S.
$282,000±$12k
15% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$919±$79Lowest
35% below U.S.
$1,750±$1kHighest
24% above U.S.
$1,041±$74
26% below U.S.
Jackson and Auburn are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,465Lowest
21% below U.S.
$6,001Highest
92% above U.S.
$3,687
18% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
49.2%±8.3
U.S.: 51.1%
21.1%±59.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
53.4%±7.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Auburn and Augusta are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
18.2%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
16.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
13.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
53.8%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
91.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
59.1%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1965
15 yrs older than U.S.
1980Highest
same as U.S.
1954Lowest
26 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
19 min
29% below U.S.
19 minLowest
30% below U.S.
22 minHighest
18% below U.S.
Work from home
15.1%±3.7
U.S.: 15.1%
22.2%±10.2Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
11.5%±2.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Jackson and Augusta are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #119 of 133 in ME — #110 of 133 in ME
School district Augusta Public Schools · Maine Arts Academy Jackson School District Auburn Public Schools
High school in town Cony None in town Edward Little High School
Students per teacherat that high school
17.9Highest
—
13.1Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.