City Comparison

Augusta vs West Valley City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

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

West Valley City

Utah
107
Above Average
$485,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$72,600
Median Income

The Verdict

16.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 16.8%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $90,169 in West Valley City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Augusta
129
West Valley City
Groceries
99
Augusta
100
West Valley City
Utilities
108
Augusta
88
West Valley City
Transportation
102
Augusta
106
West Valley City
Healthcare
114
Augusta
95
West Valley City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $90,169 in West Valley City.

Conversely, $75,000 in West Valley City equals $62,383 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs West Valley City

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower West Valley City's 129, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $485,000. The $235,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,276 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,350/mo in West Valley City, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 100 in West Valley City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $475/month in West Valley City. 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 88 in West Valley City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $352 in West Valley City. 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 95 in West Valley City. 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 $72,600 in West Valley City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $67,850 respectively. West Valley City 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 $1,694/month in West Valley City. In Augusta, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In West Valley City, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 16.8% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,169 in West Valley City, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while West Valley City's is 129 with median homes at $485,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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