Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Madison?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $49,000 in Madison.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Madison?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Madison Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Madison, WI. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 31% higher in Madison, WI. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Madison, WI

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,018

+30% in Madison, WI

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,219

+33% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,432

+38% in Madison, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,766

+44% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$346,900

+113% in Madison, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$76,983

+45% in Madison, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$58,080

+26% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

31.8 yr

+3.1 yr in Augusta, GA

Homeownership

50.9%

46.6%

+4.3 pp in Augusta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

59.2%

+35.0 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

20.6 min

19.4 min

+1.2 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

259.5

+53% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

1,884.5

+48% 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

46.5°F

+18.7°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

34.5 in

+12.1 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Madison, WI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

19.7

+25% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$11.79

+65% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Madison, WI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Augusta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Madison, WI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Madison, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / WI)

+1.0 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

7.65%

+2.5 pp in WI

Augusta vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Madison?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Madison, WI's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Madison?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Madison?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 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).