Augusta vs Los Angeles
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Augusta
Los Angeles
💡 The Verdict
Augusta is 48% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. A $75,000 salary in Augusta is equivalent to $143,103 in Los Angeles.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Augusta (left) vs Los Angeles (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Augusta versus Los Angeles. Differences shown from Augusta perspective.
| Item | Augusta | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $800/mo | $1,990/mo | $-1190.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,060/mo | $2,700/mo | $-1640.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,370/mo | $3,660/mo | $-2290.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.35 | $3.14 | $-0.79 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.17 | $3.91 | $-0.74 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.03 | $3.25 | $-0.22 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.01 | $6.16 | $-1.15 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.15 | $3.64 | $-0.49 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14.32 | $24.46 | $-10.14 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $143,103 in Los Angeles.
Conversely, $75,000 in Los Angeles equals $39,307 in Augusta.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $525 difference is driven by California having a higher state income tax rate. Georgia details → · California details →
Reading These Numbers: Augusta (87) vs Los Angeles (166)
Augusta at 87 is 13% below the US average, while Los Angeles at 166 is 66% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Augusta, the composite index of 87 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 81, followed by groceries (80), utilities (77), transportation (91), and healthcare (86). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,060/mo in Augusta and $2,700/mo in Los Angeles, the annual rent difference is approximately $19,680.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $98,400.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $584,000.0 difference in median home prices between Augusta and Los Angeles translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Augusta vs Los Angeles
Choosing between Augusta and Los Angeles involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between Augusta and Los Angeles can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.