City Comparison

Augusta vs Louisville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Louisville

Kentucky
91
Below Average
$210,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$52,238
Median Income

The Verdict

2.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.2%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $76,685 in Louisville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Augusta
77
Louisville
Groceries
99
Augusta
96
Louisville
Utilities
108
Augusta
91
Louisville
Transportation
102
Augusta
100
Louisville
Healthcare
114
Augusta
93
Louisville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $76,685 in Louisville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Louisville equals $73,352 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Louisville

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Louisville's 77, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $210,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,100/mo in Louisville, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 96 in Louisville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $456/month in Louisville. 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 Louisville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $364 in Louisville. 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 93 in Louisville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-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 $52,238 in Louisville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $57,404 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 $1,219/month in Louisville. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Louisville, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 2.2% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,685 in Louisville, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Louisville's is 77 with median homes at $210,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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