City Comparison

Augusta vs Gresham

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Gresham

Oregon
128
Expensive
$459,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$69,600
Median Income

The Verdict

30.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 30.5%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $107,865 in Gresham.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Augusta
172
Gresham
Groceries
99
Augusta
101
Gresham
Utilities
108
Augusta
96
Gresham
Transportation
102
Augusta
126
Gresham
Healthcare
114
Augusta
103
Gresham

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $107,865 in Gresham.

Conversely, $75,000 in Gresham equals $52,148 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Gresham

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Gresham's 172, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $459,000. The $209,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,584 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,450/mo in Gresham, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 101 in Gresham. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $480/month in Gresham. 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 Gresham. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $384 in Gresham. 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 Gresham. 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 $69,600 in Gresham. 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 lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,311/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,624/month in Gresham. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 100 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 30.5% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $107,865 in Gresham, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Gresham's is 172 with median homes at $459,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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