Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

vs
Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/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 $900 in Cedar Rapids, IA. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA — about 22% higher in Cedar Rapids, IA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA
Cedar Rapids, IA

Rent

Studio
$784
$659
+16% in Augusta, GA
1 Bedroom
$916
$716
+22% in Augusta, GA
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$997
+4% in Augusta, GA
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$1,335
+9% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$177,100
+9% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$67,859
+28% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$49,360
+7% in Cedar Rapids, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
36.9 yr
+2.0 yr in Cedar Rapids, IA
Homeownership
50.9%
68.2%
+17.3 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
32.9%
+8.7 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA
Avg Commute
20.6 min
18.2 min
+2.4 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
264.5
+52% in Augusta, GA
Property Crime
3,652
2,726
+25% 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
48.2°F
+17.0°F in Augusta, GA
Annual Precipitation
46.5 in
34.6 in
+11.9 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.85/gal
+2% in Augusta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.4
15.9
+3% in Augusta, GA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$38.60
$22.16
+43% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.66
+5% in Augusta, GA
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$3.63
+64% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.77
+5% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.10
+10% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / IA)
4%
6%
+2.0 pp in IA
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
3.80%
+1.4 pp in GA

Augusta vs Cedar Rapids — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Cedar Rapids?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $29,000 in Cedar Rapids.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Cedar Rapids?
Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Cedar Rapids under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).