City Comparison

Augusta vs Lexington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Lexington

Kentucky
93
Below Average
$245,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,648
Median Income

The Verdict

4.3%

Living in Augusta costs 4.3% less than Lexington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $78,371 in Lexington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Augusta
82
Lexington
Groceries
99
Augusta
96
Lexington
Utilities
108
Augusta
91
Lexington
Transportation
102
Augusta
98
Lexington
Healthcare
114
Augusta
94
Lexington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $78,371 in Lexington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lexington equals $71,774 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Lexington

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Lexington's 82, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $245,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,200/mo in Lexington, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 96 in Lexington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $456/month in Lexington. 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 91 in Lexington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $364 in Lexington. 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 94 in Lexington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $55,648 in Lexington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $59,837 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 $1,298/month in Lexington. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 4.3% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,371 in Lexington, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Lexington's is 82 with median homes at $245,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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