City Comparison

Augusta vs Chandler

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Chandler

Arizona
110
Above Average
$450,000
Median Home
$1,650/mo
Median Rent
$88,234
Median Income

The Verdict

19.1%

Augusta is 19.1% less expensive than Chandler overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $92,697 in Chandler to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Augusta
126
Chandler
Groceries
99
Augusta
100
Chandler
Utilities
108
Augusta
96
Chandler
Transportation
102
Augusta
103
Chandler
Healthcare
114
Augusta
95
Chandler

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $92,697 in Chandler.

Conversely, $75,000 in Chandler equals $60,682 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Chandler

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Chandler's 126, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $450,000. The $200,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,996 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,650/mo in Chandler, a monthly difference of $700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 100 in Chandler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $475/month in Chandler. 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 96 in Chandler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $384 in Chandler. 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 114 in Augusta and 95 in Chandler. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $88,234 in Chandler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $80,213 respectively. Chandler residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,311/month to housing in Augusta vs $2,059/month in Chandler. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Chandler, median rent of $1,650/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 19.1% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $92,697 in Chandler, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Chandler's is 126 with median homes at $450,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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