Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Bismarck?

Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $32,000 in Bismarck.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Bismarck?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Bismarck under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Bismarck Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

Bismarck

North Dakota

$960/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,130 in Augusta, GA versus $960 in Bismarck, ND. Overall, Bismarck, ND is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $77,608 in Bismarck, ND — about 32% higher in Bismarck, ND. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Bismarck, ND

Rent

Studio

$784

$723

+8% in Augusta, GA

1 Bedroom

$916

$803

+12% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$989

+4% in Augusta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,421

+16% in Bismarck, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$291,400

+79% in Bismarck, ND

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$77,608

+46% in Bismarck, ND

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$52,560

+14% in Bismarck, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

38.2 yr

+3.3 yr in Bismarck, ND

Homeownership

50.9%

65.8%

+14.9 pp in Bismarck, ND

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

38.7%

+14.5 pp in Bismarck, ND

Avg Commute

20.6 min

15.5 min

+5.1 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

278

+49% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

2,417.1

+34% 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

43.0°F

+22.2°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

17.9 in

+28.7 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Augusta, GA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

14.1

+14% in Augusta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$18.21

+53% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Bismarck, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Augusta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Bismarck, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Bismarck, ND

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Bismarck, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / ND)

+1.0 pp in ND

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

2.50%

+2.7 pp in GA

Augusta vs Bismarck — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Bismarck?: Bismarck, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Bismarck?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $32,000 in Bismarck.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Bismarck?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Bismarck under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 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).