Augusta vs Madison
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Madison
The Verdict
Augusta is 24.5% less expensive than Madison overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $99,375 in Madison to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $99,375 in Madison.
Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $56,604 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Madison
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $340,000. The $115,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,476 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $480/month in Madison. 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 Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $388 in Madison. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 105 in Madison. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-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 $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $63,741 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 $1,577/month in Madison. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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