City Comparison

Augusta vs Montgomery

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

The Verdict

1.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 1.3%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $74,063 in Montgomery.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Augusta
49
Montgomery
Groceries
96
Augusta
99
Montgomery
Utilities
104
Augusta
115
Montgomery
Transportation
89
Augusta
92
Montgomery
Healthcare
81
Augusta
78
Montgomery

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $74,063 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $75,949 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 62 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $162,000. The $63,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,092 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 78 in Montgomery. 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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 1.3% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 80.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,063 in Montgomery, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 62 with median homes at $225,000, while Montgomery's is 49 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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