Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

vs
Louisville

Kentucky

$1,060/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 $1,060 in Louisville, KY. Overall, Louisville, KY is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $64,731 in Louisville, KY — about 18% higher in Louisville, KY. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$784
$786
+0% in Louisville, KY
1 Bedroom
$916
$877
+4% in Augusta, GA
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$1,096
+6% in Louisville, KY
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$1,299
+6% in Louisville, KY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$221,500
+36% in Louisville, KY

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$64,731
+22% in Louisville, KY
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$48,370
+5% in Louisville, KY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
37.7 yr
+2.8 yr in Louisville, KY
Homeownership
50.9%
60.6%
+9.7 pp in Louisville, KY
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
33.4%
+9.2 pp in Louisville, KY
Avg Commute
20.6 min
22.7 min
+2.1 min in Louisville, KY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
763.4
+40% in Louisville, KY
Property Crime
3,652
3,536.6
+3% 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
58.2°F
+7.0°F in Augusta, GA
Annual Precipitation
46.5 in
44.9 in
+1.6 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.94/gal
+2% in Louisville, KY

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.8
15.0
+5% in Augusta, GA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$33.28
$29.48
+11% 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 / KY)
4%
6%
+2.0 pp in KY
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
3.50%
+1.7 pp in GA

Augusta vs Louisville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Louisville?
Louisville, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,060 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Louisville?
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 Louisville.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Louisville?
Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Louisville under Kentucky's (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% 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).