Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

vs
Little Rock

Arkansas

$1,080/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,120 in Augusta, GA versus $1,080 in Little Rock, AR. Overall, Little Rock, AR is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $60,583 in Little Rock, AR — about 12% higher in Little Rock, AR. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$784
$981
+25% in Little Rock, AR
1 Bedroom
$916
$904
+1% in Augusta, GA
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$1,064
+3% in Little Rock, AR
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$1,292
+5% in Little Rock, AR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$221,200
+36% in Little Rock, AR

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$60,583
+14% in Little Rock, AR
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$45,790
+0% in Augusta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
36.4 yr
+1.5 yr in Little Rock, AR
Homeownership
50.9%
54.2%
+3.3 pp in Little Rock, AR
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
44.0%
+19.8 pp in Little Rock, AR
Avg Commute
20.6 min
18.3 min
+2.3 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
1,673
+206% in Little Rock, AR
Property Crime
3,652
5,251.5
+44% in Little Rock, AR

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
65.2°F
62.7°F
+2.5°F in Augusta, GA
Annual Precipitation
46.5 in
49.8 in
+3.2 in in Little Rock, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.62/gal
+6% in Augusta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.8
14.4
+9% in Augusta, GA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$33.28
$25.93
+22% in Augusta, GA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.00
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.75
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.21
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.45
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$1.90
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

Average prices — South vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / AR)
4%
6.5%
+2.5 pp in AR
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
3.90%
+1.3 pp in GA

Augusta vs Little Rock — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Little Rock?
Little Rock, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Little Rock?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $36,000 in Little Rock.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Little Rock?
Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Little Rock under Arkansas's (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).