Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Bellevue?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Bellevue, NE's $1,160, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $40,000 in Bellevue.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Bellevue?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Bellevue under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Bellevue Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Bellevue, NE. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bellevue, NE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $87,343 in Bellevue, NE — about 39% higher in Bellevue, NE. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Bellevue, NE

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,106

+41% in Bellevue, NE

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,008

+10% in Bellevue, NE

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,190

+15% in Bellevue, NE

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,660

+35% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$230,800

+42% in Bellevue, NE

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$87,343

+64% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$49,660

+8% in Bellevue, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

36.1 yr

+1.2 yr in Bellevue, NE

Homeownership

50.9%

65.5%

+14.6 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

33.4%

+9.2 pp in Bellevue, NE

Avg Commute

20.6 min

20.8 min

+0.2 min in Bellevue, NE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

100.8

+82% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

1,149.4

+69% 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

65.2°F

51.1°F

+14.1°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

30.6 in

+15.9 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Bellevue, NE

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

13.6

+14% in Augusta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$15.53

+53% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Bellevue, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Augusta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Bellevue, NE

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Bellevue, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NE)

5.5%

+1.5 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

4.55%

+0.6 pp in GA

Augusta vs Bellevue — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Bellevue?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Bellevue, NE's $1,160, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Bellevue?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $40,000 in Bellevue.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Bellevue?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Bellevue under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).