Augusta vs Carmel
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Carmel
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 24.5%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $99,375 in Carmel.
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 $99,375 in Carmel.
Conversely, $75,000 in Carmel equals $56,604 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Carmel
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Carmel's 134, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $478,000. The $253,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,440 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,700/mo in Carmel, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 100 in Carmel. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $475/month in Carmel. 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 97 in Carmel. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $388 in Carmel. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 89 in Carmel. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,500 in Augusta and $141,500 in Carmel. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $133,491 respectively. Carmel 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 $3,302/month in Carmel. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Carmel, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 72 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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