Augusta GA vs Little Rock 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Little Rock
39.4%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.4 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 32.8% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 56.5% | 39.4% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $53,714 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Little Rock
$216,863
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $216,863 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Little Rock, 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
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Augusta +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 50.0 in | Augusta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Little Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, 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 Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Little Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³).
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