Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

vs
Charleston

West Virginia

$860/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 $860 in Charleston, WV. Overall, Charleston, WV is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $64,512 in Charleston, WV — about 18% higher in Charleston, WV. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA
Charleston, WV

Rent

Studio
$784
$630
+20% in Augusta, GA
1 Bedroom
$916
$668
+27% in Augusta, GA
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$980
+5% in Augusta, GA
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$1,139
+7% in Augusta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$187,300
+15% in Charleston, WV

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$64,512
+21% in Charleston, WV
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$45,830
+0% in Augusta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
42.6 yr
+7.7 yr in Charleston, WV
Homeownership
50.9%
62.8%
+11.9 pp in Charleston, WV
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
44.1%
+19.9 pp in Charleston, WV
Avg Commute
20.6 min
17.9 min
+2.7 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
542.7
+1% in Augusta, GA
Property Crime
3,652
3,148
+14% 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
55.7°F
+9.5°F in Augusta, GA
Annual Precipitation
46.5 in
44.0 in
+2.5 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.86/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.8
16.8
+6% in Charleston, WV
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$33.28
$24.68
+26% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.00
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.75
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.21
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.45
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$1.90
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / WV)
4%
6%
+2.0 pp in WV
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
4.82%
+0.4 pp in GA

Augusta vs Charleston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Charleston?
Charleston, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $860 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Charleston?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $27,000 in Charleston.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Charleston?
Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Charleston under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).