Augusta vs Bellevue
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Bellevue
The Verdict
Living in Augusta costs 49.4% less than Bellevue. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $148,125 in Bellevue.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $148,125 in Bellevue.
Conversely, $75,000 in Bellevue equals $37,975 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Bellevue
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Bellevue's 249, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $1.3M. The $1.1M difference in home prices means roughly $69,936 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $2,525/mo in Bellevue, a monthly difference of $1,450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 111 in Bellevue. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $527/month in Bellevue. Augusta offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 104 in Augusta and 100 in Bellevue. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $400 in Bellevue. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 120 in Bellevue. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 39-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 $169,200 in Bellevue. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $107,089 respectively. Bellevue residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Augusta vs $3,948/month in Bellevue. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 187 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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