Augusta GA vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 121,537 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.1 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 6.6% | Lafayette + |
| White | 32.8% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 56.5% | 28.6% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $55,297 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Lafayette
$225,222
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $225,222 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 643 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2824 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lafayette
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Augusta +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 67.6°F | Augusta + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 61.0 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, 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 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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