Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Juneau?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Juneau, AK's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $50,000 in Juneau.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Juneau?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Juneau under Alaska's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Augusta vs Juneau Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

Juneau

Alaska

$1,530/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 $1,530 in Juneau, AK. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Juneau, AK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $100,513 in Juneau, AK — about 47% higher in Juneau, AK. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Juneau, AK

Rent

Studio

$784

$993

+27% in Juneau, AK

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,257

+37% in Juneau, AK

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,647

+59% in Juneau, AK

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,949

+58% in Juneau, AK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$432,500

+166% in Juneau, AK

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$100,513

+89% in Juneau, AK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

39.8 yr

+4.9 yr in Juneau, AK

Homeownership

50.9%

64.4%

+13.5 pp in Juneau, AK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

40.5%

+16.3 pp in Juneau, AK

Avg Commute

20.6 min

15.8 min

+4.8 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

515.6

+6% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

2,113.1

+42% 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

42.1°F

+23.1°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

62.3 in

+15.7 in in Juneau, AK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.21/gal

+32% in Juneau, AK

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

28.2

+72% in Juneau, AK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$17.35

+55% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Juneau, AK

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Juneau, AK

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Juneau, AK

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Juneau, AK

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Juneau, AK

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / AK)

None

+4.0 pp in GA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Juneau — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Juneau?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Juneau, AK's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Juneau?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $50,000 in Juneau.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Juneau?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Juneau under Alaska's (no state income tax and no 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).