Albuquerque vs Augusta
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albuquerque
Augusta
The Verdict
Augusta is 15.0% less expensive than Albuquerque overall. A household earning $75,000 in Albuquerque would need approximately $65,217 in Augusta to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Albuquerque has the same purchasing power as $65,217 in Augusta.
Conversely, $75,000 in Augusta equals $86,250 in Albuquerque.
Living in Albuquerque vs Augusta
Housing Costs
Albuquerque's housing index of 80 is higher Augusta's 62, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $225,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Albuquerque compared to $1,075/mo in Augusta, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Albuquerque and 96 in Augusta. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Albuquerque vs $456/month in Augusta. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Albuquerque and 104 in Augusta. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Albuquerque vs $416 in Augusta. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Albuquerque and 81 in Augusta. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $52,911 in Albuquerque and $55,500 in Augusta. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,512 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 $1,235/month to housing in Albuquerque vs $1,295/month in Augusta. In Albuquerque, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. 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 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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