City Comparison

Augusta vs Augusta

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

Georgia
80
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$55,500
Median Income

Augusta

Maine
89
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$56,200
Median Income

The Verdict

10.1%

Living in Augusta costs 10.1% less than Augusta. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $83,438 in Augusta.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
62
Augusta
72
Augusta
Groceries
96
Augusta
99
Augusta
Utilities
104
Augusta
108
Augusta
Transportation
89
Augusta
102
Augusta
Healthcare
81
Augusta
114
Augusta

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $83,438 in Augusta.

Conversely, $75,000 in Augusta equals $67,416 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Augusta

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Augusta's 72, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $250,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $950/mo in Augusta, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 99 in Augusta. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta 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 104 in Augusta and 108 in Augusta. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $432 in Augusta. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 114 in Augusta. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 33-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,500 in Augusta and $56,200 in Augusta. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $63,146 respectively. Augusta residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,311/month in Augusta. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 10.1% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 89.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,438 in Augusta, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 62 with median homes at $225,000, while Augusta's is 72 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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