City Comparison

Augusta vs Naperville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Naperville

Illinois
112
Above Average
$430,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$118,254
Median Income

The Verdict

28.6%

Augusta is 28.6% less expensive than Naperville overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $105,000 in Naperville to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Augusta
130
Naperville
Groceries
96
Augusta
104
Naperville
Utilities
104
Augusta
99
Naperville
Transportation
89
Augusta
116
Naperville
Healthcare
81
Augusta
101
Naperville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $105,000 in Naperville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Naperville equals $53,571 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Naperville

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Naperville's 130, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $430,000. The $205,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,800/mo in Naperville, a monthly difference of $725.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 104 in Naperville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $494/month in Naperville. Augusta offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 104 in Augusta and 99 in Naperville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $396 in Naperville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 101 in Naperville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $118,254 in Naperville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $105,584 respectively. Naperville 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 $2,759/month in Naperville. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Naperville, median rent of $1,800/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 68 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 28.6% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $105,000 in Naperville, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 62 with median homes at $225,000, while Naperville's is 130 with median homes at $430,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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