Augusta GA vs Fayetteville AR — 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%
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 97,227 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 5.7% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 32.8% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 56.5% | 5.2% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $59,074 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $53,714 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 21.4% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $380,101 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 41.9% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 660 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2507 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Fayetteville
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Fayetteville
7.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Fayetteville
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Fayetteville
12.0%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 58.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 45.5 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, 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 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Augusta, GA vs New York, NYAugusta, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAugusta, GA vs Chicago, ILAugusta, GA vs Houston, TXAugusta, GA vs Phoenix, AZAugusta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA