Augusta vs Orem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Orem
The Verdict
Augusta is 23.9% less expensive than Orem overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $98,596 in Orem 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 $98,596 in Orem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Orem equals $57,051 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Orem
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Orem's 147, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $528,000. The $278,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,072 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,400/mo in Orem, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 98 in Orem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $466/month in Orem. 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 92 in Orem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $368 in Orem. 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 95 in Orem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $86,000 in Orem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $73,504 respectively. Orem 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 $2,007/month in Orem. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Orem, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 75 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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