Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Augusta?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Augusta?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $37,000 in Augusta.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Augusta?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Augusta under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Augusta Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,120 in Augusta, GA. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $53,134 in Augusta, GA — about 49% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Augusta, GA

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$784

+37% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$916

+43% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,035

+44% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,230

+45% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$162,900

+68% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$53,134

+49% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$45,990

+22% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

34.9 yr

+6.0 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

50.9%

+8.9 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

24.2%

+29.5 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

20.6 min

+8.1 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

546.7

+32% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

3,652

+73% in Augusta, GA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

65.2°F

+8.1°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

—

46.5 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

15.8

+27% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$33.28

+76% in Augusta, GA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — South vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / GA)

+2.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.19%

+1.3 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Augusta — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Augusta?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Augusta?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $37,000 in Augusta.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Augusta?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Augusta under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).