Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Charlotte?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Charlotte, NC's $1,560, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $55,000 in Charlotte.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Charlotte?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Charlotte under North Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Charlotte Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Charlotte

North Carolina

$1,560/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 $1,560 in Charlotte, NC. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Charlotte, NC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $78,438 in Charlotte, NC — about 32% higher in Charlotte, NC. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; North Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Charlotte, NC

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,424

+82% in Charlotte, NC

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,374

+50% in Charlotte, NC

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,491

+44% in Charlotte, NC

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,663

+35% in Charlotte, NC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$351,500

+116% in Charlotte, NC

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$78,438

+48% in Charlotte, NC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$49,990

+9% in Charlotte, NC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

34.4 yr

+0.5 yr in Augusta, GA

Homeownership

50.9%

51.5%

+0.6 pp in Charlotte, NC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

47.4%

+23.2 pp in Charlotte, NC

Avg Commute

20.6 min

25.0 min

+4.4 min in Charlotte, NC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

733.1

+34% in Charlotte, NC

Property Crime

3,652

3,718.9

+2% in Charlotte, NC

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

59.9°F

+5.3°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

41.6 in

+4.9 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.20

Adult base one-way fare — — vs CATS (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

15.1

+5% in Augusta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$27.56

+17% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NC)

4.75%

+0.8 pp in NC

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

3.99%

+1.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Charlotte — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Charlotte?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Charlotte, NC's $1,560, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Charlotte?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $55,000 in Charlotte.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Charlotte?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Charlotte under North Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% 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).