Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Columbia?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $41,000 in Columbia.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Columbia?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Columbia under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Columbia Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/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 $1,220 in Columbia, SC. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbia, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $55,653 in Columbia, SC — about 5% higher in Columbia, SC. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Columbia, SC

Rent

Studio

$784

$802

+2% in Columbia, SC

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,026

+12% in Columbia, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,164

+12% in Columbia, SC

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,338

+9% in Columbia, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$243,500

+49% in Columbia, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$55,653

+5% in Columbia, SC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$46,430

+1% in Columbia, SC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

28.7 yr

+6.2 yr in Augusta, GA

Homeownership

50.9%

47.3%

+3.6 pp in Augusta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

46.1%

+21.9 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

20.6 min

17.4 min

+3.2 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

769.9

+41% in Columbia, SC

Property Crime

3,652

3,265.1

+11% 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

64.9°F

+0.3°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

45.4 in

+1.1 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

15.6

+5% in Augusta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$29.07

+25% 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 / SC)

+2.0 pp in SC

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

6.00%

+0.8 pp in SC

Augusta vs Columbia — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Columbia?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Columbia?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $41,000 in Columbia.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Columbia?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Columbia under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).