Augusta vs Rapid City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Rapid City
The Verdict
Augusta is 18.4% less expensive than Rapid City overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $91,875 in Rapid City 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 $91,875 in Rapid City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rapid City equals $61,224 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Rapid City
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Rapid City's 91, 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 $1,100/mo in Rapid City, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 102 in Rapid City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $485/month in Rapid City. Augusta offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 104 in Augusta and 87 in Rapid City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $348 in Rapid City. 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 107 in Rapid City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-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 $70,900 in Rapid City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $72,347 respectively. Rapid City 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 $1,654/month in Rapid City. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Rapid City, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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