City Comparison

Augusta vs Wichita

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Wichita

Kansas
84
Very Affordable
$165,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$52,428
Median Income

The Verdict

4.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.8%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $78,750 in Wichita.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Augusta
62
Wichita
Groceries
96
Augusta
95
Wichita
Utilities
104
Augusta
93
Wichita
Transportation
89
Augusta
98
Wichita
Healthcare
81
Augusta
92
Wichita

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $78,750 in Wichita.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wichita equals $71,429 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Wichita

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 62 is equal to Wichita's 62, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $165,000. The $60,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $900/mo in Wichita, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 95 in Wichita. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $451/month in Wichita. 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 93 in Wichita. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $372 in Wichita. 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 92 in Wichita. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $52,428 in Wichita. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $62,414 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 $1,223/month in Wichita. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Wichita, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 4.8% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,750 in Wichita, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 62 with median homes at $225,000, while Wichita's is 62 with median homes at $165,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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