City Comparison

Augusta vs Nampa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Nampa

Idaho
105
Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$74,300
Median Income

The Verdict

15.2%

Augusta is 15.2% less expensive than Nampa overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $88,483 in Nampa to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Augusta
104
Nampa
Groceries
99
Augusta
105
Nampa
Utilities
108
Augusta
83
Nampa
Transportation
102
Augusta
113
Nampa
Healthcare
114
Augusta
102
Nampa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $88,483 in Nampa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Nampa equals $63,571 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Nampa

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Nampa's 104, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $371,000. The $121,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,860 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,500/mo in Nampa, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 105 in Nampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $499/month in Nampa. 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 83 in Nampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $332 in Nampa. 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 102 in Nampa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $74,300 in Nampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $70,762 respectively. Nampa 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 $1,734/month in Nampa. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 15.2% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,483 in Nampa, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Nampa's is 104 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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