City Comparison

Augusta vs Savannah

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Savannah

Georgia
93
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$45,210
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 Savannah.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Augusta
81
Savannah
Groceries
96
Augusta
100
Savannah
Utilities
104
Augusta
95
Savannah
Transportation
89
Augusta
101
Savannah
Healthcare
81
Augusta
98
Savannah

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Augusta vs Savannah

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Savannah's 81, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $250,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,300/mo in Savannah, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 100 in Savannah. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $475/month in Savannah. 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 95 in Savannah. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $380 in Savannah. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 98 in Savannah. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $45,210 in Savannah. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $48,613 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 $1,055/month in Savannah. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Savannah, median rent of $1,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 19 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 Savannah, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 62 with median homes at $225,000, while Savannah's is 81 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases