Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Birmingham?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Birmingham, AL's $1,190, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Birmingham.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Birmingham?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Birmingham under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Birmingham Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Birmingham

Alabama

$1,190/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 $1,190 in Birmingham, AL. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Birmingham, AL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $44,376 in Birmingham, AL — about 16% higher in Augusta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Birmingham, AL

Rent

Studio

$784

$857

+9% in Birmingham, AL

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,004

+10% in Birmingham, AL

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,005

+3% in Augusta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,188

+3% in Augusta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$138,600

+15% in Augusta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$44,376

+16% in Augusta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$47,770

+4% in Birmingham, AL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

35.9 yr

+1.0 yr in Birmingham, AL

Homeownership

50.9%

45.1%

+5.8 pp in Augusta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

30.7%

+6.5 pp in Birmingham, AL

Avg Commute

20.6 min

21.5 min

+0.9 min in Birmingham, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

1,274.7

+133% in Birmingham, AL

Property Crime

3,652

4,233

+16% in Birmingham, AL

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

63.3°F

+1.9°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

53.7 in

+7.2 in in Birmingham, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Augusta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

16.8

+6% in Birmingham, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$22.64

+32% 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 / AL)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.00%

+0.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Birmingham — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Birmingham?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Birmingham, AL's $1,190, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Birmingham?: 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 Birmingham.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Birmingham?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Birmingham under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% 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).