City Comparison

Augusta vs Huntsville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

Georgia
80
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$55,500
Median Income

Huntsville

Alabama
91
Below Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$56,098
Median Income

The Verdict

12.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 12.1%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $85,313 in Huntsville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
62
Augusta
79
Huntsville
Groceries
96
Augusta
96
Huntsville
Utilities
104
Augusta
91
Huntsville
Transportation
89
Augusta
98
Huntsville
Healthcare
81
Augusta
93
Huntsville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $85,313 in Huntsville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Huntsville equals $65,934 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Huntsville

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Huntsville's 79, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $260,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,200/mo in Huntsville, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 96 in Huntsville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $456/month in Huntsville. 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 91 in Huntsville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $364 in Huntsville. 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 93 in Huntsville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $56,098 in Huntsville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $61,646 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 $1,309/month in Huntsville. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Huntsville, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 12.1% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $85,313 in Huntsville, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 62 with median homes at $225,000, while Huntsville's is 79 with median homes at $260,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases