City Comparison

Augusta vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Springfield

Illinois
78
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

2.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.6%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $73,125 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Augusta
52
Springfield
Groceries
96
Augusta
98
Springfield
Utilities
104
Augusta
98
Springfield
Transportation
89
Augusta
114
Springfield
Healthcare
81
Augusta
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $73,125 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $76,923 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 62 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $162,000. The $63,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,092 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $466/month in Springfield. 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 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $83,974 respectively. Springfield 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 $1,528/month in Springfield. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 2.6% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 80.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,125 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 62 with median homes at $225,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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