City Comparison

Augusta vs Murfreesboro

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Murfreesboro

Tennessee
93
Below Average
$325,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$55,200
Median Income

The Verdict

14.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 14.0%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $87,188 in Murfreesboro.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Augusta
85
Murfreesboro
Groceries
96
Augusta
95
Murfreesboro
Utilities
104
Augusta
89
Murfreesboro
Transportation
89
Augusta
97
Murfreesboro
Healthcare
81
Augusta
96
Murfreesboro

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Augusta vs Murfreesboro

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Murfreesboro's 85, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $325,000. The $100,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,504 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,350/mo in Murfreesboro, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 95 in Murfreesboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $451/month in Murfreesboro. 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 89 in Murfreesboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $356 in Murfreesboro. 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 96 in Murfreesboro. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $55,200 in Murfreesboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $59,355 respectively. Augusta residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,288/month in Murfreesboro. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Murfreesboro, median rent of $1,350/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 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 Murfreesboro, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 62 with median homes at $225,000, while Murfreesboro's is 85 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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