Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Buffalo?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Buffalo, NY's $1,150, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $34,000 in Buffalo.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Buffalo?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Buffalo under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Buffalo Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Buffalo

New York

$1,150/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 $1,150 in Buffalo, NY. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Buffalo, NY, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $48,050 in Buffalo, NY — about 10% higher in Augusta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Buffalo, NY

Rent

Studio

$784

$812

+4% in Buffalo, NY

1 Bedroom

$916

$849

+7% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$954

+8% in Augusta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,080

+12% in Augusta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$152,300

+7% in Augusta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$48,050

+10% in Augusta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$50,790

+10% in Buffalo, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

34.3 yr

+0.6 yr in Augusta, GA

Homeownership

50.9%

42.7%

+8.2 pp in Augusta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

30.3%

+6.1 pp in Buffalo, NY

Avg Commute

20.6 min

19.9 min

+0.7 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

770.5

+41% in Buffalo, NY

Property Crime

3,652

4,003.2

+10% in Buffalo, NY

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

48.3°F

+16.9°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

40.5 in

+6.1 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.04/gal

+5% in Buffalo, NY

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs New York.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

29.9

+89% in Buffalo, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$22.74

+32% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Buffalo, NY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Buffalo, NY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Buffalo, NY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Buffalo, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Buffalo, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NY)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

10.90%

+5.7 pp in NY

Augusta vs Buffalo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Buffalo?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Buffalo, NY's $1,150, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Buffalo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $34,000 in Buffalo.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Buffalo?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Buffalo under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% 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).