Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Fort Wayne.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Fort Wayne?

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

Augusta vs Fort Wayne Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Fort Wayne

Indiana

$960/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 $960 in Fort Wayne, IN. Overall, Fort Wayne, IN is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $60,293 in Fort Wayne, IN — about 12% higher in Fort Wayne, IN. 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

Fort Wayne, IN

Rent

Studio

$784

$798

+2% in Fort Wayne, IN

1 Bedroom

$916

$782

+15% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$984

+5% in Augusta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,100

+11% in Augusta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$169,700

+4% in Fort Wayne, IN

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$60,293

+13% in Fort Wayne, IN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$47,700

+4% in Fort Wayne, IN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

35.0 yr

+0.1 yr in Fort Wayne, IN

Homeownership

50.9%

62.2%

+11.3 pp in Fort Wayne, IN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

28.5%

+4.3 pp in Fort Wayne, IN

Avg Commute

20.6 min

21.4 min

+0.8 min in Fort Wayne, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

308.9

+43% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

2,245.4

+39% 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

50.5°F

+14.7°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

38.3 in

+8.2 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Fort Wayne, IN

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

18.1

+15% in Fort Wayne, 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 Fort Wayne, IN

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Augusta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Fort Wayne, IN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Fort Wayne, IN

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Fort Wayne, 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 Fort Wayne — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Fort Wayne?: Fort Wayne, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Fort Wayne?: 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 Fort Wayne.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Fort Wayne?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Fort Wayne 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).