Augusta vs Chicago
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Augusta
Chicago
💡 The Verdict
Augusta is 19% cheaper than Chicago overall. A $75,000 salary in Augusta is equivalent to $92,241 in Chicago.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Augusta (left) vs Chicago (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Augusta versus Chicago. Differences shown from Augusta perspective.
| Item | Augusta | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $800/mo | $1,230/mo | $-430.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,060/mo | $1,700/mo | $-640.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,370/mo | $2,220/mo | $-850.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.35 | $2.71 | $-0.36 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.17 | $4.17 | $-1.00 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.03 | $3.55 | $-0.52 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.01 | $6.11 | $-1.10 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.15 | $3.57 | $-0.42 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14.32 | $15.53 | $-1.21 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $92,241 in Chicago.
Conversely, $75,000 in Chicago equals $60,981 in Augusta.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $450 difference is driven by Georgia having a higher state income tax rate. Georgia details → · Illinois details →
Reading These Numbers: Augusta (87) vs Chicago (107)
Augusta at 87 is 13% below the US average, while Chicago at 107 is 7% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Augusta, the composite index of 87 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 81, followed by groceries (80), utilities (77), transportation (91), and healthcare (86). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,060/mo in Augusta and $1,700/mo in Chicago, the annual rent difference is approximately $7,680.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $38,400.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $44,000.0 difference in median home prices between Augusta and Chicago 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.
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Making Your Decision: Augusta vs Chicago
Choosing between Augusta and Chicago 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 Augusta against Chicago, 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.