City Comparison

Augusta vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Springfield

Missouri
84
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$46,000
Median Income

The Verdict

6.0%

Living in Springfield costs 6.0% less than Augusta. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $70,787 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Augusta
67
Springfield
Groceries
99
Augusta
94
Springfield
Utilities
108
Augusta
79
Springfield
Transportation
102
Augusta
90
Springfield
Healthcare
114
Augusta
116
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $70,787 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $79,464 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $225,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $447/month in Springfield. 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 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $316 in Springfield. 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 116 in Springfield. 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 $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $54,762 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 $1,073/month in Springfield. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 6.0% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 89.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,787 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Springfield's is 67 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases