Albany vs Augusta
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albany
Augusta
The Verdict
Living in Augusta costs 23.8% less than Albany. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Albany, you would need $60,606 in Augusta.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Albany has the same purchasing power as $60,606 in Augusta.
Conversely, $75,000 in Augusta equals $92,813 in Albany.
Living in Albany vs Augusta
Housing Costs
Albany's housing index of 93 is higher Augusta's 62, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $225,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Albany compared to $1,075/mo in Augusta, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 96 in Augusta. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $456/month in Augusta. Augusta offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Albany and 104 in Augusta. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany vs $416 in Augusta. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Albany and 81 in Augusta. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,098 in Albany and $55,500 in Augusta. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 and $69,375 respectively. Augusta residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,006/month to housing in Albany vs $1,295/month in Augusta. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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