City Comparison

Augusta vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Wilmington

North Carolina
103
Average
$320,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$48,432
Median Income

The Verdict

22.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 22.3%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $96,563 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Augusta
108
Wilmington
Groceries
96
Augusta
101
Wilmington
Utilities
104
Augusta
94
Wilmington
Transportation
89
Augusta
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
81
Augusta
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $96,563 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $58,252 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $320,000. The $95,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Augusta and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 22.3% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $96,563 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 62 with median homes at $225,000, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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