Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Davenport?

Davenport, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $31,000 in Davenport.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Davenport?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Davenport under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Davenport Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

Davenport

Iowa

$960/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 $960 in Davenport, IA. Overall, Davenport, IA is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $64,497 in Davenport, IA — about 18% higher in Davenport, IA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Davenport, IA

Rent

Studio

$784

$726

+7% in Augusta, GA

1 Bedroom

$916

$777

+15% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$962

+7% in Augusta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,117

+9% in Augusta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

about equal

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$64,497

+21% in Davenport, IA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$48,550

+6% in Davenport, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

37.8 yr

+2.9 yr in Davenport, IA

Homeownership

50.9%

63.0%

+12.1 pp in Davenport, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

30.0%

+5.8 pp in Davenport, IA

Avg Commute

20.6 min

18.7 min

+1.9 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

581.4

+6% in Davenport, IA

Property Crime

3,652

3,559.6

+3% 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

49.3°F

+15.9°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

36.0 in

+10.5 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Augusta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

15.9

+3% in Augusta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$22.16

+43% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Davenport, IA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Augusta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Davenport, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Davenport, IA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Davenport, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / IA)

+2.0 pp in IA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

3.80%

+1.4 pp in GA

Augusta vs Davenport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Davenport?: Davenport, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Davenport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $31,000 in Davenport.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Davenport?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Davenport under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).