City Comparison

Augusta vs Mobile

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Mobile

Alabama
84
Very Affordable
$193,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$53,600
Median Income

The Verdict

6.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 6.0%, with Mobile being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $70,787 in Mobile.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Augusta
60
Mobile
Groceries
99
Augusta
98
Mobile
Utilities
108
Augusta
108
Mobile
Transportation
102
Augusta
90
Mobile
Healthcare
114
Augusta
100
Mobile

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $70,787 in Mobile.

Conversely, $75,000 in Mobile equals $79,464 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Mobile

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is higher Mobile's 60, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $193,000. The $57,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,708 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $975/mo in Mobile, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 98 in Mobile. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $466/month in Mobile. 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 108 in Mobile. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $432 in Mobile. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 100 in Mobile. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $53,600 in Mobile. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $63,810 respectively. Mobile 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 $1,251/month in Mobile. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Mobile, median rent of $975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mobile is 6.0% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 89.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,787 in Mobile, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Mobile's is 60 with median homes at $193,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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