Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Cincinnati?

Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $33,000 in Cincinnati.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Cincinnati?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Cincinnati under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Cincinnati Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Cincinnati, OH. Overall, Cincinnati, OH is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH — about 3% higher in Augusta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Cincinnati, OH

Rent

Studio

$784

$791

+1% in Cincinnati, OH

1 Bedroom

$916

$817

+11% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,023

+1% in Augusta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,228

+0% in Augusta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$215,300

+32% in Cincinnati, OH

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$51,707

+3% in Augusta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$50,170

+9% in Cincinnati, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

33.0 yr

+1.9 yr in Augusta, GA

Homeownership

50.9%

38.9%

+12.0 pp in Augusta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

41.3%

+17.1 pp in Cincinnati, OH

Avg Commute

20.6 min

23.1 min

+2.5 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

856.5

+57% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

3,652

3,877.7

+6% in Cincinnati, OH

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

54.3°F

+10.9°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

41.9 in

+4.6 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.18/gal

+8% in Cincinnati, OH

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Ohio.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

19.5

+23% in Cincinnati, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$22.83

+31% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Cincinnati, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Augusta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Cincinnati, OH

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Cincinnati, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / OH)

5.75%

+1.8 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

2.75%

+2.4 pp in GA

Augusta vs Cincinnati — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Cincinnati?: Cincinnati, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Cincinnati?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $33,000 in Cincinnati.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Cincinnati?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Cincinnati under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).