Augusta vs Elgin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Elgin
The Verdict
Augusta is 15.8% less expensive than Elgin overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $89,063 in Elgin 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 $89,063 in Elgin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Elgin equals $63,158 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Elgin
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Elgin's 89, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $279,000. The $54,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,375/mo in Elgin, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 104 in Elgin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $494/month in Elgin. Augusta offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 104 in Augusta and 89 in Elgin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $356 in Elgin. 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 105 in Elgin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-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 $90,300 in Elgin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $95,053 respectively. Elgin 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 $2,107/month in Elgin. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Elgin, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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