Augusta vs Virginia Beach

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 $98,438 in Virginia Beach.

Conversely, $75,000 in Virginia Beach equals $57,143 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Virginia Beach

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Virginia Beach's 112, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $310,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 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 Virginia Beach, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 100 in Virginia Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $475/month in Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $392 in Virginia Beach. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 99 in Virginia Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $73,418 in Virginia Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $69,922 respectively. Virginia Beach 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 $1,713/month in Virginia Beach. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Virginia Beach, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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