Augusta vs Plano
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Plano
The Verdict
Living in Augusta costs 26.6% less than Plano. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $102,188 in Plano.
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 $102,188 in Plano.
Conversely, $75,000 in Plano equals $55,046 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Plano
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Plano's 123, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $400,000. The $175,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,700/mo in Plano, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 98 in Plano. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $466/month in Plano. 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 99 in Plano. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $396 in Plano. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 100 in Plano. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $96,348 in Plano. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $88,393 respectively. Plano 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 $2,248/month in Plano. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Plano, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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