City Comparison

Augusta vs Johnson City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

The Verdict

5.9%

Living in Augusta costs 5.9% less than Johnson City. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $79,688 in Johnson City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Augusta
66
Johnson City
Groceries
96
Augusta
95
Johnson City
Utilities
104
Augusta
95
Johnson City
Transportation
89
Augusta
88
Johnson City
Healthcare
81
Augusta
94
Johnson City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $79,688 in Johnson City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Johnson City equals $70,588 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Johnson City

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Johnson City's 66, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $276,000. The $51,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,312 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,025/mo in Johnson City, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 95 in Johnson City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $451/month in Johnson City. 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 95 in Johnson City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $380 in Johnson City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 94 in Johnson City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $55,400 in Johnson City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $65,176 respectively. Augusta residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,293/month in Johnson City. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 5.9% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 85.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,688 in Johnson City, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 62 with median homes at $225,000, while Johnson City's is 66 with median homes at $276,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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