Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

vs
Jersey City

New Jersey

$2,100/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 $2,100 in Jersey City, NJ. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 46% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Jersey City, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $94,813 in Jersey City, NJ — about 44% higher in Jersey City, NJ. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$784
$1,949
+149% in Jersey City, NJ
1 Bedroom
$916
$1,853
+102% in Jersey City, NJ
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$1,857
+79% in Jersey City, NJ
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$2,004
+63% in Jersey City, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$534,500
+228% in Jersey City, NJ

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$94,813
+78% in Jersey City, NJ
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$61,430
+34% in Jersey City, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
34.7 yr
+0.2 yr in Augusta, GA
Homeownership
50.9%
28.8%
+22.1 pp in Augusta, GA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
53.1%
+28.9 pp in Jersey City, NJ
Avg Commute
20.6 min
36.9 min
+16.3 min in Jersey City, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
562.9
+3% in Jersey City, NJ
Property Crime
3,652
2,036.4
+44% 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
55.0°F
+10.2°F in Augusta, GA
Annual Precipitation
46.5 in
49.9 in
+3.4 in in Jersey City, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.4
24.9
+53% in Jersey City, NJ
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$38.60
$17.68
+54% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Jersey City, NJ
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.92
+10% in Jersey City, NJ
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Augusta, GA
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.90
+7% in Jersey City, NJ
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.19
+15% in Jersey City, NJ
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in Jersey City, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NJ)
4%
6.625%
+2.6 pp in NJ
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
10.75%
+5.6 pp in NJ

Augusta vs Jersey City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Jersey City?
Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 46% below Jersey City, NJ's $2,100, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Jersey City?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $74,000 in Jersey City.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Jersey City?
Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Jersey City under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).