City Comparison

Augusta vs Stockton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Stockton

California
114
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$54,658
Median Income

The Verdict

29.8%

Augusta is 29.8% less expensive than Stockton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $106,875 in Stockton to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Augusta
126
Stockton
Groceries
96
Augusta
101
Stockton
Utilities
104
Augusta
108
Stockton
Transportation
89
Augusta
111
Stockton
Healthcare
81
Augusta
101
Stockton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $106,875 in Stockton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockton equals $52,632 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Stockton

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Stockton's 126, 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 $1,500/mo in Stockton, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 101 in Stockton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $480/month in Stockton. 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 108 in Stockton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $432 in Stockton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 101 in Stockton. 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 $54,658 in Stockton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $47,946 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 $1,275/month in Stockton. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Stockton, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 64 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 29.8% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 114.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $106,875 in Stockton, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 62 with median homes at $225,000, while Stockton's is 126 with median homes at $400,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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