Atlanta vs Augusta
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Atlanta
Augusta
💡 The Verdict
Augusta is 7% cheaper than Atlanta overall. A $75,000 salary in Atlanta is equivalent to $70,093 in Augusta.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Atlanta (left) vs Augusta (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Atlanta versus Augusta. Differences shown from Atlanta perspective.
| Item | Atlanta | Augusta | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,310/mo | $790/mo | +$520.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,700/mo | $1,110/mo | +$590.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,260/mo | $1,520/mo | +$740.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.79 | $2.64 | +$0.15 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.14 | $3.61 | +$0.53 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.82 | $3.55 | $-0.73 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.89 | $5.72 | +$0.17 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.62 | $3.49 | +$0.13 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18.21 | $16.49 | +$1.72 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Atlanta has the same purchasing power as $70,093 in Augusta.
Conversely, $75,000 in Augusta equals $80,250 in Atlanta.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
Both states have similar effective tax rates on this salary level. Georgia details → · Maine details →
Reading These Numbers: Atlanta (107) vs Augusta (100)
Atlanta at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Augusta at 100 is 0% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Atlanta, the composite index of 107 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 113, followed by groceries (104), utilities (96), transportation (113), and healthcare (101). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,700/mo in Atlanta and $1,110/mo in Augusta, the annual rent difference is approximately $7,080.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $35,400.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $74,000.0 difference in median home prices between Atlanta and Augusta translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
🔗 Related Tools
📚 Moving & Relocation Resources
Amazon affiliate links
CITY PROFILES
Making Your Decision: Atlanta vs Augusta
Choosing between Atlanta and Augusta involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Atlanta against Augusta, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.