Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

vs
Huntsville

Alabama

$1,090/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 $1,090 in Huntsville, AL. Overall, Huntsville, AL is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $70,778 in Huntsville, AL — about 25% higher in Huntsville, AL. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA
Huntsville, AL

Rent

Studio
$784
$815
+4% in Huntsville, AL
1 Bedroom
$916
$900
+2% in Augusta, GA
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$1,080
+4% in Huntsville, AL
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$1,251
+2% in Huntsville, AL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$263,100
+62% in Huntsville, AL

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$70,778
+33% in Huntsville, AL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$51,740
+13% in Huntsville, AL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
36.4 yr
+1.5 yr in Huntsville, AL
Homeownership
50.9%
58.1%
+7.2 pp in Huntsville, AL
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
46.2%
+22.0 pp in Huntsville, AL
Avg Commute
20.6 min
19.3 min
+1.3 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
483.2
+12% in Augusta, GA
Property Crime
3,652
2,395.7
+34% 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
62.1°F
+3.1°F in Augusta, GA
Annual Precipitation
46.5 in
54.3 in
+7.8 in in Huntsville, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.62/gal
+8% in Augusta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.4
16.4
+0% in Huntsville, AL
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$38.60
$24.06
+38% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.00
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.75
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.21
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.45
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$1.90
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / AL)
4%
4%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
5.00%
+0.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Huntsville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Huntsville?
Huntsville, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Huntsville?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $36,000 in Huntsville.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Huntsville?
Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Huntsville under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).