Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Burlington?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $51,000 in Burlington.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Burlington?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Burlington under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Burlington Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Burlington

Vermont

$1,530/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 $1,530 in Burlington, VT. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $68,854 in Burlington, VT — about 23% higher in Burlington, VT. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,284

+64% in Burlington, VT

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,275

+39% in Burlington, VT

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,731

+67% in Burlington, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$2,002

+63% in Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$400,200

+146% in Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$68,854

+30% in Burlington, VT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$60,020

+31% in Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

26.7 yr

+8.2 yr in Augusta, GA

Homeownership

50.9%

39.8%

+11.1 pp in Augusta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

60.5%

+36.3 pp in Burlington, VT

Avg Commute

20.6 min

19.2 min

+1.4 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

497.1

+9% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

4,408.9

+21% in Burlington, VT

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

46.0°F

+19.2°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

36.8 in

+9.7 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

24.9

+57% in Burlington, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$20.31

+39% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Burlington, VT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Burlington, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Burlington, VT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Burlington, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Burlington, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / VT)

+2.0 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

8.75%

+3.6 pp in VT

Augusta vs Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Burlington?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Burlington, VT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Burlington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $51,000 in Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Burlington?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Burlington under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).