City Comparison

Augusta vs Lincoln

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Lincoln

Nebraska
93
Below Average
$264,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$71,900
Median Income

The Verdict

14.0%

Living in Augusta costs 14.0% less than Lincoln. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $87,188 in Lincoln.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Augusta
77
Lincoln
Groceries
96
Augusta
98
Lincoln
Utilities
104
Augusta
93
Lincoln
Transportation
89
Augusta
97
Lincoln
Healthcare
81
Augusta
102
Lincoln

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in Lincoln equals $64,516 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Lincoln

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Lincoln's 77, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $264,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,075/mo in Lincoln, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 98 in Lincoln. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $466/month in Lincoln. 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 93 in Lincoln. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $372 in Lincoln. 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 102 in Lincoln. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-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 $71,900 in Lincoln. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $77,312 respectively. Lincoln 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 $1,678/month in Lincoln. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 21 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 Lincoln, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 62 with median homes at $225,000, while Lincoln's is 77 with median homes at $264,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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