Augusta vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Montgomery
The Verdict
Montgomery is 12.7% less expensive than Augusta overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $66,573 in Montgomery to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $66,573 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $84,494 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 72 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $162,000. The $88,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,724 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $460 in Montgomery. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 36-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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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