City Comparison

Augusta vs Kansas City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Kansas City

Missouri
93
Below Average
$220,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,478
Median Income

The Verdict

14.0%

Augusta is 14.0% less expensive than Kansas City overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $87,188 in Kansas City to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Augusta
80
Kansas City
Groceries
96
Augusta
97
Kansas City
Utilities
104
Augusta
95
Kansas City
Transportation
89
Augusta
106
Kansas City
Healthcare
81
Augusta
96
Kansas City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $87,188 in Kansas City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kansas City equals $64,516 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Kansas City

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Kansas City's 80, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $220,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 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 Kansas City, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 97 in Kansas City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $461/month in Kansas 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 Kansas City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $380 in Kansas City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 96 in Kansas City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $57,478 in Kansas City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $61,804 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 $1,341/month in Kansas City. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Kansas City, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 14.0% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,188 in Kansas City, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 62 with median homes at $225,000, while Kansas City's is 80 with median homes at $220,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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