Augusta vs Lafayette
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Lafayette
The Verdict
Living in Augusta costs 11.1% less than Lafayette. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $84,375 in Lafayette.
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 $84,375 in Lafayette.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lafayette equals $66,667 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Lafayette
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Lafayette's 73, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $214,000. The $11,000 difference in home prices means roughly $720 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 Lafayette, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 96 in Lafayette. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $456/month in Lafayette. 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 97 in Lafayette. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $388 in Lafayette. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 80 in Lafayette. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,500 in Augusta and $61,900 in Lafayette. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $68,778 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 $1,444/month in Lafayette. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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