Augusta vs Manchester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Manchester
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 24.6%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $99,438 in Manchester.
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 $99,438 in Manchester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Manchester equals $56,568 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Manchester
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Manchester's 140, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $350,000. The $100,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,504 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,600/mo in Manchester, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 105 in Manchester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $499/month in Manchester. Augusta offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Augusta and 114 in Manchester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $456 in Manchester. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 112 in Manchester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,200 in Augusta and $65,018 in Manchester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $55,100 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 $1,517/month in Manchester. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Manchester, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 68 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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