Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

vs
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/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 $1,200 in Grand Rapids, MI. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Grand Rapids, MI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI — about 19% higher in Grand Rapids, MI. 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
Grand Rapids, MI

Rent

Studio
$784
$992
+27% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$916
$964
+5% in Grand Rapids, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$1,206
+17% in Grand Rapids, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$1,421
+16% in Grand Rapids, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$225,500
+38% in Grand Rapids, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$65,526
+23% in Grand Rapids, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$47,570
+3% in Grand Rapids, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
32.1 yr
+2.8 yr in Augusta, GA
Homeownership
50.9%
54.6%
+3.7 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
40.1%
+15.9 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
20.6 min
19.4 min
+1.2 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
910.1
+66% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
3,652
2,506.2
+31% 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
49.1°F
+16.1°F in Augusta, GA
Annual Precipitation
46.5 in
38.3 in
+8.3 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
23.0
+41% in Grand Rapids, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$38.60
$19.72
+49% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Grand Rapids, MI
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.66
+5% in Augusta, GA
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$3.63
+64% in Grand Rapids, MI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.77
+5% in Grand Rapids, MI
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.10
+10% in Grand Rapids, MI
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / MI)
4%
6%
+2.0 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
4.25%
+0.9 pp in GA

Augusta vs Grand Rapids — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Grand Rapids?
Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Grand Rapids, MI's $1,200, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Grand Rapids?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $39,000 in Grand Rapids.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Grand Rapids?
Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Grand Rapids 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).