Augusta vs Lancaster
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Lancaster
The Verdict
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 Lancaster.
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 $107,865 in Lancaster.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lancaster equals $52,148 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Lancaster
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Lancaster's 148, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $447,000. The $197,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,804 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,625/mo in Lancaster, a monthly difference of $675.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 109 in Lancaster. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $518/month in Lancaster. Augusta offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Augusta and 111 in Lancaster. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $444 in Lancaster. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 96 in Lancaster. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $81,500 in Lancaster. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $63,672 respectively. Lancaster residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,311/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,902/month in Lancaster. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Lancaster, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 76 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases