City Comparison

Augusta vs Burlington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Burlington

Vermont
118
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$51,098
Median Income

The Verdict

24.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 24.6%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $99,438 in Burlington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Augusta
139
Burlington
Groceries
99
Augusta
108
Burlington
Utilities
108
Augusta
115
Burlington
Transportation
102
Augusta
98
Burlington
Healthcare
114
Augusta
116
Burlington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $99,438 in Burlington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Burlington equals $56,568 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Burlington

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Burlington's 139, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $380,000. The $130,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,448 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,800/mo in Burlington, a monthly difference of $850.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 108 in Burlington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $513/month in Burlington. Augusta offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Augusta and 115 in Burlington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $460 in Burlington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 116 in Burlington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,200 in Augusta and $51,098 in Burlington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $43,303 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 $1,192/month in Burlington. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 67 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 24.6% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $99,438 in Burlington, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Burlington's is 139 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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