Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Detroit?

Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Detroit?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Detroit under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Detroit Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Detroit

Michigan

$970/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 $970 in Detroit, MI. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $39,575 in Detroit, MI — about 26% higher in Augusta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Detroit, MI

Rent

Studio

$784

$801

+2% in Detroit, MI

1 Bedroom

$916

$752

+18% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,001

+3% in Augusta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,195

+3% in Augusta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$76,800

+53% in Augusta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$39,575

+26% in Augusta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$52,080

+13% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

35.1 yr

+0.2 yr in Detroit, MI

Homeownership

50.9%

49.7%

+1.2 pp in Augusta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

17.6%

+6.6 pp in Augusta, GA

Avg Commute

20.6 min

25.4 min

+4.8 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

1,783.4

+226% in Detroit, MI

Property Crime

3,652

4,391.6

+20% in Detroit, MI

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

50.3°F

+14.9°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

31.3 in

+15.2 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Detroit, MI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

22.0

+39% in Detroit, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$14.07

+58% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Detroit, MI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Augusta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Detroit, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Detroit, MI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Detroit, MI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / MI)

+2.0 pp in MI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

4.25%

+0.9 pp in GA

Augusta vs Detroit — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Detroit?: Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Detroit?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $30,000 in Detroit.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Detroit?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Detroit under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).