Augusta vs Lakewood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Lakewood
The Verdict
Augusta is 33.1% less expensive than Lakewood overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $112,079 in Lakewood 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 $112,079 in Lakewood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $50,188 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Lakewood
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $574,000. The $324,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,060 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $900.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $480/month in Lakewood. 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 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $340 in Lakewood. 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 84 in Lakewood. 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 $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $63,008 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 $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 116 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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