Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Lincoln?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $35,000 in Lincoln.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Lincoln?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Lincoln Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Lincoln, NE. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $69,991 in Lincoln, NE — about 24% higher in Lincoln, NE. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Lincoln, NE

Rent

Studio

$784

$851

+9% in Lincoln, NE

1 Bedroom

$916

$879

+4% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,070

+3% in Lincoln, NE

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,379

+12% in Lincoln, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$248,200

+52% in Lincoln, NE

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$69,991

+32% in Lincoln, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$49,800

+8% in Lincoln, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

33.4 yr

+1.5 yr in Augusta, GA

Homeownership

50.9%

55.8%

+4.9 pp in Lincoln, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

41.0%

+16.8 pp in Lincoln, NE

Avg Commute

20.6 min

18.3 min

+2.3 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

363.1

+34% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

2,484.4

+32% 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

51.5°F

+13.7°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

30.9 in

+15.7 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Lincoln, NE

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

13.6

+14% in Augusta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$15.53

+53% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Lincoln, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Augusta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Lincoln, NE

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Lincoln, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NE)

5.5%

+1.5 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

4.55%

+0.6 pp in GA

Augusta vs Lincoln — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Lincoln?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Lincoln?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $35,000 in Lincoln.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Lincoln?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).