Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

vs
Cambridge

Massachusetts

$2,810/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 $2,810 in Cambridge, MA. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 60% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cambridge, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $126,469 in Cambridge, MA — about 58% higher in Cambridge, 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
Cambridge, MA

Rent

Studio
$784
$2,236
+185% in Cambridge, MA
1 Bedroom
$916
$2,496
+172% in Cambridge, MA
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$2,980
+188% in Cambridge, MA
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$3,325
+170% in Cambridge, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$1,040,500
+539% in Cambridge, MA

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$126,469
+138% in Cambridge, MA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$66,620
+45% in Cambridge, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
30.5 yr
+4.4 yr in Augusta, GA
Homeownership
50.9%
33.7%
+17.2 pp in Augusta, GA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
80.2%
+56.0 pp in Cambridge, MA
Avg Commute
20.6 min
26.1 min
+5.5 min in Cambridge, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
436.7
+20% in Augusta, GA
Property Crime
3,652
2,657.6
+27% 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
$3.94/gal
$4.07/gal
+3% in Cambridge, MA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.4
29.6
+81% in Cambridge, MA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$38.60
$30.66
+21% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Cambridge, MA
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.92
+10% in Cambridge, MA
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Augusta, GA
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.90
+7% in Cambridge, MA
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.19
+15% in Cambridge, MA
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in Cambridge, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / MA)
4%
6.25%
+2.3 pp in MA
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
9.00%
+3.8 pp in MA

Augusta vs Cambridge — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Cambridge?
Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 60% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Cambridge?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $100,000 in Cambridge.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Cambridge?
Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Cambridge 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).