Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Montgomery?

Montgomery, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $33,000 in Montgomery.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Montgomery?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Montgomery under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Montgomery Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

Montgomery

Alabama

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Montgomery, AL. Overall, Montgomery, AL is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $55,687 in Montgomery, AL — about 5% higher in Montgomery, AL. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Montgomery, AL

Rent

Studio

$784

$864

+10% in Montgomery, AL

1 Bedroom

$916

$831

+9% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$982

+5% in Augusta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,172

+5% in Augusta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$148,500

+9% in Augusta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$55,687

+5% in Montgomery, AL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$44,950

+2% in Augusta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

36.2 yr

+1.3 yr in Montgomery, AL

Homeownership

50.9%

54.3%

+3.4 pp in Montgomery, AL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

33.5%

+9.3 pp in Montgomery, AL

Avg Commute

20.6 min

20.5 min

+0.1 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

605.5

+11% in Montgomery, AL

Property Crime

3,652

2,258.3

+38% 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

65.1°F

+0.1°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

53.1 in

+6.5 in in Montgomery, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Augusta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

+0% in Montgomery, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$24.06

+38% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / AL)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.00%

+0.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Montgomery — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Montgomery?: Montgomery, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Montgomery?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $33,000 in Montgomery.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Montgomery?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Montgomery under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).