What are the schools like in Altus, AR?

Altus is served primarily by OZARK SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district operates 2 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.5:1.

What is the median household income in Altus?

The median household income in Altus, AR is $37,768 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 9.7%.

What is the weather like in Altus, AR?

Altus has an average high temperature of 48.3°F in January and 91.9°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 49.8 inches and annual snowfall averages 1.0 inches.

Altus, AR Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Altus, AR affordable or expensive?

Altus's cost of living index is 85, where 100 represents the national average. This means Altus is 15% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $107,600 and the median rent is $641 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Altus, AR?

Altus has a violent crime rate of 513.7 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1027.4 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Altus, AR a Good Place to Live?

Altus is a small town of 1,008 in Arkansas, with a median household income of $37,768 and a 9.7% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100), which is 15% below the national average.

Strengths: Altus stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Altus is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Altus city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 85.1

Altus's overall cost of living index is 85.1, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Altus costs roughly 15% less than the average American city.

Metric	Altus, AR	National Avg
Median Home Value	$107,600	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$641	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	67.0%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$37,768	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Near National Average

Altus's violent crime rate is 513.7 per 100,000 residents — 35% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

513.7 /100k

Property Crime

1027.4 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Altus is served primarily by OZARK SCHOOL DISTRICT. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.5:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Altus, AR	National Avg
School District	OZARK SCHOOL DISTRICT	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	12.5:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	5.1%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	81.3%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Altus sees average highs of 48.3°F in January and 91.9°F in July, with 49.8 inches of annual precipitation and 1.0 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Altus, AR
Average High — January	48.3°F
Average High — July	91.9°F
Annual Precipitation	49.8"
Annual Snowfall	1.0"

Demographics

Metric	Altus, AR	National Avg
Population	1,008	—
Median Age	47.2	38.9
Unemployment Rate	9.7%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	16.3 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	87.7%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.0%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	21.5%	22.2%
65 and over	19.2%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Denning, AR 2 mi Wiederkehr Village, AR 2 mi Alix, AR 3 mi Coal Hill, AR 6 mi Ozark, AR 6 mi

Altus vs Other Cities

Altus, AR vs Denning, AR Altus, AR vs Wiederkehr Village, AR Altus, AR vs Alix, AR Altus, AR vs Coal Hill, AR Altus, AR vs Ozark, AR

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Altus, AR affordable or expensive?

Altus's cost of living index is 85, where 100 is the national average. That makes Altus roughly 15% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $107,600 and median rent is $641/month.

What is the crime rate in Altus, AR?

Altus's violent crime rate is 513.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1027.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Altus?

Public schools in Altus are operated by OZARK SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.5:1. 5.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Altus, AR a good place to live?

Altus, AR has a population of 1,008, a median household income of $37,768, and an unemployment rate of 9.7%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Altus?

Altus averages 48.3°F in January and 91.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 49.8 inches with about 1.0 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Altus?

The population of Altus, Arkansas is 1,008 with a median age of 47.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Altus?

Key numbers for living in Altus: cost of living index 85 (100 = US average), median home $107,600, median household income $37,768, crime index 101 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Altus side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.