Augusta vs Olympia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Olympia
The Verdict
Augusta is 20.5% less expensive than Olympia overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $94,382 in Olympia 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 $94,382 in Olympia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $59,598 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Olympia
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $495,000. The $245,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,924 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $499/month in Olympia. 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 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $364 in Olympia. 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 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $72,589 respectively. Olympia 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 $1,897/month in Olympia. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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