Augusta vs Durham
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Durham
The Verdict
Augusta is 20.8% less expensive than Durham overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $94,688 in Durham 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 $94,688 in Durham.
Conversely, $75,000 in Durham equals $59,406 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Durham
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Durham's 104, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $340,000. The $115,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,476 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,400/mo in Durham, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 100 in Durham. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $475/month in Durham. 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 Durham. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $372 in Durham. 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 108 in Durham. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-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 $57,738 in Durham. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $57,166 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 $1,347/month in Durham. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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