Augusta vs Fayetteville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Fayetteville
The Verdict
Fayetteville is 9.9% less expensive than Augusta overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $68,258 in Fayetteville 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 $68,258 in Fayetteville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fayetteville equals $82,407 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Fayetteville
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 72 is higher Fayetteville's 52, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $213,000. The $37,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,075/mo in Fayetteville, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 94 in Fayetteville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $447/month in Fayetteville. 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 98 in Fayetteville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $392 in Fayetteville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 106 in Fayetteville. 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 $49,800 in Fayetteville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $61,481 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 $1,162/month in Fayetteville. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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