Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Baltimore?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $43,000 in Baltimore.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Baltimore?

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

Augusta vs Baltimore Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,120 in Augusta, GA versus $1,300 in Baltimore, MD. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Baltimore, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $59,623 in Baltimore, MD — about 11% higher in Baltimore, MD. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Baltimore, MD

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,050

+34% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,073

+17% in Baltimore, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,353

+31% in Baltimore, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,555

+26% in Baltimore, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$219,300

+35% in Baltimore, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$59,623

+12% in Baltimore, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$59,070

+28% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

36.1 yr

+1.2 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

50.9%

47.5%

+3.4 pp in Augusta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

35.4%

+11.2 pp in Baltimore, MD

Avg Commute

20.6 min

29.4 min

+8.8 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

1,616.7

+196% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

3,652

4,202.6

+15% in Baltimore, MD

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.2°F

61.4°F

+3.8°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

42.4 in

+4.1 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs MTA Maryland (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

21.8

+37% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$18.94

+43% 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 (GA / MD)

+2.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

6.50%

+1.3 pp in MD

Augusta vs Baltimore — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Baltimore?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Baltimore?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $43,000 in Baltimore.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Baltimore?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Baltimore under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% 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).