Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

vs
New Orleans

Louisiana

$1,170/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 $1,170 in New Orleans, LA. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New Orleans, LA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $55,339 in New Orleans, LA — about 4% higher in New Orleans, LA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA
New Orleans, LA

Rent

Studio
$784
$953
+22% in New Orleans, LA
1 Bedroom
$916
$1,019
+11% in New Orleans, LA
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$1,287
+24% in New Orleans, LA
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$1,392
+13% in New Orleans, LA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$296,400
+82% in New Orleans, LA

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$55,339
+4% in New Orleans, LA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$47,290
+3% in New Orleans, LA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
38.4 yr
+3.5 yr in New Orleans, LA
Homeownership
50.9%
50.5%
+0.4 pp in Augusta, GA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
42.0%
+17.8 pp in New Orleans, LA
Avg Commute
20.6 min
22.7 min
+2.1 min in New Orleans, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
1,361.1
+149% in New Orleans, LA
Property Crime
3,652
5,089.6
+39% in New Orleans, LA

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
70.6°F
+5.4°F in New Orleans, LA
Annual Precipitation
46.5 in
62.3 in
+15.7 in in New Orleans, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.62/gal
+6% in Augusta, GA

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$1.25

Adult base one-way fare — — vs New Orleans RTA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.8
14.2
+11% in Augusta, GA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$33.28
$16.62
+50% 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 / LA)
4%
5%
+1.0 pp in LA
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
3.00%
+2.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs New Orleans — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or New Orleans?
Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below New Orleans, LA's $1,170, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in New Orleans?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $41,000 in New Orleans.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or New Orleans?
Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); New Orleans under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% 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).