Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Casper?

Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $31,000 in Casper.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Casper?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Casper Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

Casper

Wyoming

$930/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 $930 in Casper, WY. Overall, Casper, WY is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $69,171 in Casper, WY — about 23% higher in Casper, WY. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Casper, WY

Rent

Studio

$784

$730

+7% in Augusta, GA

1 Bedroom

$916

$764

+17% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$930

+10% in Augusta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,299

+6% in Casper, WY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$250,700

+54% in Casper, WY

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$69,171

+30% in Casper, WY

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$48,880

+6% in Casper, WY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

37.0 yr

+2.1 yr in Casper, WY

Homeownership

50.9%

70.3%

+19.4 pp in Casper, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

30.0%

+5.8 pp in Casper, WY

Avg Commute

20.6 min

16.9 min

+3.7 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

302.4

+45% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

2,123.8

+42% 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

45.4°F

+19.8°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

12.5 in

+34.0 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Casper, WY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

15.2

+7% in Augusta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$18.28

+53% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Casper, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Casper, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Casper, WY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Casper, WY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Casper, WY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / WY)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Casper — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Casper?: Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Casper?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $31,000 in Casper.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Casper?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax 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).