City Comparison

Augusta vs Bowling Green

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

Maine
89
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$56,200
Median Income

Bowling Green

Kentucky
85
Very Affordable
$266,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$48,900
Median Income

The Verdict

4.7%

Living in Bowling Green costs 4.7% less than Augusta. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $71,629 in Bowling Green.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Augusta
71
Bowling Green
Groceries
99
Augusta
95
Bowling Green
Utilities
108
Augusta
109
Bowling Green
Transportation
102
Augusta
80
Bowling Green
Healthcare
114
Augusta
87
Bowling Green

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $71,629 in Bowling Green.

Conversely, $75,000 in Bowling Green equals $78,529 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Bowling Green

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is higher Bowling Green's 71, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $266,000. The $16,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,044 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $900/mo in Bowling Green, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 95 in Bowling Green. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $451/month in Bowling Green. 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 108 in Augusta and 109 in Bowling Green. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $436 in Bowling Green. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 87 in Bowling Green. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,200 in Augusta and $48,900 in Bowling Green. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $57,529 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 $1,311/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,141/month in Bowling Green. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Bowling Green, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bowling Green is 4.7% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 89.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,629 in Bowling Green, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Bowling Green's is 71 with median homes at $266,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases