Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Concord?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Concord, NH's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $45,000 in Concord.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Concord?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Concord under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Augusta vs Concord Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

Concord

New Hampshire

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Concord, NH. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Concord, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $83,701 in Concord, NH — about 37% higher in Concord, NH. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Concord, NH

Rent

Studio

$784

$876

+12% in Concord, NH

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,134

+24% in Concord, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,475

+43% in Concord, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,769

+44% in Concord, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$323,700

+99% in Concord, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$83,701

+58% in Concord, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

40.7 yr

+5.8 yr in Concord, NH

Homeownership

50.9%

57.4%

+6.5 pp in Concord, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

40.1%

+15.9 pp in Concord, NH

Avg Commute

20.6 min

23.2 min

+2.6 min in Concord, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

180.7

+67% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

1,251.5

+66% 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

46.4°F

+18.8°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

40.6 in

+5.9 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

27.0

+65% in Concord, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$21.67

+44% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Concord, NH

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Concord, NH

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Concord, NH

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Concord, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Concord, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NH)

None

+4.0 pp in GA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Concord — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Concord?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Concord, NH's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Concord?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $45,000 in Concord.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Concord?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Concord under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no 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).