Augusta vs Pittsburgh
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Pittsburgh
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 4.3%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $78,371 in Pittsburgh.
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 $78,371 in Pittsburgh.
Conversely, $75,000 in Pittsburgh equals $71,774 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Pittsburgh
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Pittsburgh's 79, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $195,000. The $55,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,576 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,100/mo in Pittsburgh, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 101 in Pittsburgh. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $480/month in Pittsburgh. 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 100 in Pittsburgh. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $400 in Pittsburgh. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 95 in Pittsburgh. 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 $52,536 in Pittsburgh. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $56,490 respectively. Augusta residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,311/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,226/month in Pittsburgh. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Pittsburgh, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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