Augusta vs Tacoma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Augusta
Tacoma
The Verdict
Living in Augusta costs 23.9% less than Tacoma. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $98,596 in Tacoma.
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 Tacoma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tacoma equals $57,051 in Augusta.
Living in Augusta vs Tacoma
Housing Costs
Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Tacoma's 140, 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 $1,600/mo in Tacoma, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 105 in Tacoma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $499/month in Tacoma. Augusta offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Augusta and 108 in Tacoma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $432 in Tacoma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 106 in Tacoma. 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 $58,974 in Tacoma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $50,405 respectively. Augusta residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,311/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,376/month in Tacoma. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Tacoma, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 68 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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