Augusta vs Chicago
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Augusta
Chicago
💡 The Verdict
Augusta is 7% cheaper than Chicago overall. A $75,000 salary in Augusta is equivalent to $80,250 in Chicago.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Augusta (left) vs Chicago (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Augusta versus Chicago. Differences shown from Augusta perspective.
| Item | Augusta | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $790/mo | $1,230/mo | $-440.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,110/mo | $1,700/mo | $-590.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,520/mo | $2,220/mo | $-700.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.64 | $2.71 | $-0.07 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.61 | $4.17 | $-0.56 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.55 | $3.55 | $0.00 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.72 | $6.11 | $-0.39 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.49 | $3.57 | $-0.08 |
| Restaurant Meal | $16.49 | $15.53 | +$0.96 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $80,250 in Chicago.
Conversely, $75,000 in Chicago equals $70,093 in Augusta.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $450 difference is driven by Maine having a higher state income tax rate. Maine details → · Illinois details →
Reading These Numbers: Augusta (100) vs Chicago (107)
Augusta at 100 is 0% below the US average, while Chicago at 107 is 7% above average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Augusta, the composite index of 100 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 86, followed by groceries (98), utilities (102), transportation (105), and healthcare (103). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,110/mo in Augusta and $1,700/mo in Chicago, the annual rent difference is approximately $7,080.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $35,400.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $34,000.0 difference in median home prices between Augusta and Chicago translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
🔗 Related Tools
📚 Moving & Relocation Resources
Amazon affiliate links
CITY PROFILES
Making Your Decision: Augusta vs Chicago
Choosing between Augusta and Chicago involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Augusta against Chicago, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.