Augusta GA vs Cedar Rapids IA — 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%
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 136,859 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.9 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 7.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 32.8% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 56.5% | 8.5% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 5.1% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $67,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $39,824 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,226 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 32.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $210,271 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 50.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 37.6 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Augusta +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Augusta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Augusta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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