Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Boise?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $45,000 in Boise.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Boise?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Boise Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $81,308 in Boise, ID — about 35% higher in Boise, ID. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Boise, ID

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,021

+30% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,133

+24% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,342

+30% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,749

+42% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$456,000

+180% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$81,308

+53% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$49,100

+7% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

38.2 yr

+3.3 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

50.9%

63.0%

+12.1 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

46.6%

+22.4 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

20.6 min

19.1 min

+1.5 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

301

+45% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

1,135.1

+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

52.5°F

+12.7°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

11.7 in

+34.8 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.29/gal

+11% in Boise, ID

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

12.3

+22% in Augusta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$10.82

+67% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Boise, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / ID)

+2.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.30%

+0.1 pp in ID

Augusta vs Boise — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Boise?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Boise?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $45,000 in Boise.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Boise?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).