Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Evansville?

Evansville, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Evansville.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Evansville?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Evansville under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Evansville Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Evansville

Indiana

$950/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 $950 in Evansville, IN. Overall, Evansville, IN 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 $52,251 in Evansville, IN — about 2% higher in Augusta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Evansville, IN

Rent

Studio

$784

$741

+5% in Augusta, GA

1 Bedroom

$916

$768

+16% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,022

+1% in Augusta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,167

+5% in Augusta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$129,100

+21% in Augusta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$52,251

+2% in Augusta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$46,540

+1% in Evansville, IN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

38.1 yr

+3.2 yr in Evansville, IN

Homeownership

50.9%

53.9%

+3.0 pp in Evansville, IN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

22.3%

+1.9 pp in Augusta, GA

Avg Commute

20.6 min

18.7 min

+1.9 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

1,210.5

+121% in Evansville, IN

Property Crime

3,652

3,716.2

+2% in Evansville, IN

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

56.4°F

+8.8°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

45.3 in

+1.2 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Evansville, IN

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

18.1

+15% in Evansville, IN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$13.70

+59% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Evansville, IN

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Augusta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Evansville, IN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Evansville, IN

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Evansville, IN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / IN)

+3.0 pp in IN

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

2.95%

+2.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Evansville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Evansville?: Evansville, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Evansville?: 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 Evansville.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Evansville?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Evansville under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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).