City Comparison

Augusta vs Harrisburg

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Harrisburg

Pennsylvania
90
Below Average
$145,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$46,200
Median Income

The Verdict

1.1%

Living in Augusta costs 1.1% less than Harrisburg. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $75,843 in Harrisburg.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Augusta
65
Harrisburg
Groceries
99
Augusta
96
Harrisburg
Utilities
108
Augusta
102
Harrisburg
Transportation
102
Augusta
102
Harrisburg
Healthcare
114
Augusta
84
Harrisburg

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $75,843 in Harrisburg.

Conversely, $75,000 in Harrisburg equals $74,167 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Harrisburg

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is higher Harrisburg's 65, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $145,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,100/mo in Harrisburg, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 96 in Harrisburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $456/month in Harrisburg. 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 102 in Harrisburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $408 in Harrisburg. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 84 in Harrisburg. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 30-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 $46,200 in Harrisburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $51,333 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 $1,078/month in Harrisburg. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Harrisburg, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 1.1% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,843 in Harrisburg, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Harrisburg's is 65 with median homes at $145,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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