Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Boston?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 51% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $79,000 in Boston.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Boston?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Boston Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/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 $2,290 in Boston, MA. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 51% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $94,755 in Boston, MA — about 44% higher in Boston, MA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Boston, MA

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,890

+141% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,978

+116% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$2,155

+108% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$2,234

+82% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$710,400

+336% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$94,755

+78% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$66,620

+45% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

33.2 yr

+1.7 yr in Augusta, GA

Homeownership

50.9%

35.4%

+15.5 pp in Augusta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

54.1%

+29.9 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

20.6 min

30.2 min

+9.6 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

630.2

+15% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

3,652

2,030.8

+44% 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

51.5°F

+13.7°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

43.8 in

+2.8 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.95/gal

+2% in Boston, MA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

28.8

+82% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$31.39

+6% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Boston, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Boston, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Boston, MA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Boston, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / MA)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

9.00%

+3.8 pp in MA

Augusta vs Boston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Boston?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 51% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Boston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $79,000 in Boston.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Boston?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).