Ann Arbor vs Augusta
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Ann Arbor
Augusta
The Verdict
Living in Augusta costs 28.1% less than Ann Arbor. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Ann Arbor, you would need $58,553 in Augusta.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Ann Arbor has the same purchasing power as $58,553 in Augusta.
Conversely, $75,000 in Augusta equals $96,067 in Ann Arbor.
Living in Ann Arbor vs Augusta
Housing Costs
Ann Arbor's housing index of 135 is higher Augusta's 72, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $250,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Ann Arbor compared to $950/mo in Augusta, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Ann Arbor and 99 in Augusta. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Ann Arbor vs $470/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 99 in Ann Arbor and 108 in Augusta. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Ann Arbor vs $432 in Augusta. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 101 in Ann Arbor and 114 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 $65,024 in Ann Arbor and $56,200 in Augusta. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,039 and $63,146 respectively. Augusta residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,517/month to housing in Ann Arbor vs $1,311/month in Augusta. In Ann Arbor, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 63 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases