Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

vs
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,150/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 $1,150 in Indianapolis, IN. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Indianapolis, IN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN — about 16% higher in Indianapolis, 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
Indianapolis, IN

Rent

Studio
$784
$933
+19% in Indianapolis, IN
1 Bedroom
$916
$963
+5% in Indianapolis, IN
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$1,132
+9% in Indianapolis, IN
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$1,304
+6% in Indianapolis, IN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$207,000
+27% in Indianapolis, IN

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$62,995
+19% in Indianapolis, IN
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$49,340
+7% in Indianapolis, IN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
34.1 yr
+0.8 yr in Augusta, GA
Homeownership
50.9%
55.3%
+4.4 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
34.2%
+10.0 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Avg Commute
20.6 min
24.3 min
+3.7 min in Indianapolis, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
936.6
+71% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
3,652
3,351.7
+8% 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
53.2°F
+12.0°F in Augusta, GA
Annual Precipitation
46.5 in
42.4 in
+4.1 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.94/gal
+2% in Indianapolis, IN

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs IndyGo (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.8
18.1
+15% in Indianapolis, 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 Indianapolis, IN
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.66
+5% in Augusta, GA
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$3.63
+64% in Indianapolis, IN
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.77
+5% in Indianapolis, IN
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.10
+10% in Indianapolis, IN
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 / IN)
4%
7%
+3.0 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
2.95%
+2.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Indianapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Indianapolis?
Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Indianapolis, IN's $1,150, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Indianapolis?
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 Indianapolis.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Indianapolis?
Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Indianapolis 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).