Augusta vs Chesapeake
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Chesapeake
The Verdict
Augusta is 14.4% less expensive than Chesapeake overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $87,640 in Chesapeake to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $87,640 in Chesapeake.
Conversely, $75,000 in Chesapeake equals $64,183 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Chesapeake
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Chesapeake's 120, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $385,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,550/mo in Chesapeake, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 102 in Chesapeake. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $485/month in Chesapeake. 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 105 in Chesapeake. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $420 in Chesapeake. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 97 in Chesapeake. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $94,200 in Chesapeake. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $90,577 respectively. Chesapeake 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 $2,198/month in Chesapeake. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Chesapeake, median rent of $1,550/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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