Augusta vs Des Moines
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Des Moines
The Verdict
Augusta is 10.1% less expensive than Des Moines overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $83,438 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $83,438 in Des Moines.
Conversely, $75,000 in Des Moines equals $67,416 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Des Moines
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Des Moines's 74, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $210,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,100/mo in Des Moines, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 96 in Des Moines. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $456/month in Des Moines. 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 93 in Des Moines. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $372 in Des Moines. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 97 in Des Moines. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $55,958 in Des Moines. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $62,874 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 $1,306/month in Des Moines. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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