Augusta GA vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Lee's Summit +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Lee's Summit +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Augusta +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 102,583 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.6 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 4.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| White | 32.8% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 56.5% | 10.2% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 5.3% | Augusta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,527 | Lee's Summit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $313,200 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 501 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2418 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Lee's Summit
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Lee's Summit
11.9%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lee's Summit + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 26.9 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, 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 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lee's Summit has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 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