Augusta vs Dayton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Dayton
The Verdict
Living in Dayton costs 11.3% less than Augusta. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $67,416 in Dayton.
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 $67,416 in Dayton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Dayton equals $83,438 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Dayton
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 72 is higher Dayton's 46, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $135,000. The $115,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,476 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $900/mo in Dayton, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 98 in Dayton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $466/month in Dayton. 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 Dayton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $436 in Dayton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 114 in Dayton. 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 $43,500 in Dayton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $54,375 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 $1,015/month in Dayton. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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