Augusta vs Racine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Racine
The Verdict
Racine is 1.1% less expensive than Augusta overall. A household earning $75,000 in Augusta would need approximately $74,157 in Racine 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 $74,157 in Racine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $75,852 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Racine
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 72 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $126,000. The $124,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,064 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $461/month in Racine. 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 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $376 in Racine. 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 111 in Racine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,200 in Augusta and $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $65,568 respectively. Racine 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 $1,346/month in Racine. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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