City Comparison

Augusta vs Greenville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Greenville

South Carolina
95
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$48,912
Median Income

The Verdict

6.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 6.3%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $80,056 in Greenville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Augusta
85
Greenville
Groceries
99
Augusta
98
Greenville
Utilities
108
Augusta
96
Greenville
Transportation
102
Augusta
97
Greenville
Healthcare
114
Augusta
103
Greenville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $80,056 in Greenville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Greenville equals $70,263 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Greenville

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Greenville's 85, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $250,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,200/mo in Greenville, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 98 in Greenville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $466/month in Greenville. 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 Greenville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $384 in Greenville. 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 103 in Greenville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $48,912 in Greenville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $51,486 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 $1,141/month in Greenville. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Greenville, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 6.3% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,056 in Greenville, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Greenville's is 85 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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