City Comparison

Augusta vs Stockton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

Stockton

California
114
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$54,658
Median Income

The Verdict

21.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 21.9%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $96,067 in Stockton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Augusta
126
Stockton
Groceries
99
Augusta
101
Stockton
Utilities
108
Augusta
108
Stockton
Transportation
102
Augusta
111
Stockton
Healthcare
114
Augusta
101
Stockton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $96,067 in Stockton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockton equals $58,553 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Stockton

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Stockton's 126, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $400,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,500/mo in Stockton, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 101 in Stockton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $480/month in Stockton. 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 108 in Stockton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $432 in Stockton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 101 in Stockton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $54,658 in Stockton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $47,946 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 $1,275/month in Stockton. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Stockton, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 21.9% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 114.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $96,067 in Stockton, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Stockton's is 126 with median homes at $400,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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