Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Meridian?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Meridian?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 33% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 46% higher in Meridian, ID. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,523

+94% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,540

+68% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,489

+44% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,893

+54% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$485,000

+198% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$98,686

+86% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$49,100

+7% in Meridian, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

37.4 yr

+2.5 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

50.9%

76.1%

+25.2 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

44.4%

+20.2 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

20.6 min

22.3 min

+1.7 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

150.3

+73% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

583.5

+84% 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

52.5°F

+12.7°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

11.7 in

+34.8 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Meridian, ID

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

14.4

+12% in Augusta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$11.33

+71% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Meridian, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / ID)

+2.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.30%

+0.1 pp in ID

Augusta vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Meridian?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Meridian?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).