Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

vs
New York City

New York

$2,010/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 $2,010 in New York City, NY. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 44% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New York City, NY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $79,713 in New York City, NY — about 33% higher in New York City, NY. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$784
$1,633
+108% in New York City, NY
1 Bedroom
$916
$1,705
+86% in New York City, NY
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$1,781
+72% in New York City, NY
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$2,065
+68% in New York City, NY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$751,700
+361% in New York City, NY

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$79,713
+50% in New York City, NY
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$61,430
+34% in New York City, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
38.0 yr
+3.1 yr in New York City, NY
Homeownership
50.9%
32.8%
+18.1 pp in Augusta, GA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
41.0%
+16.8 pp in New York City, NY
Avg Commute
20.6 min
40.6 min
+20.0 min in New York City, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
694
+27% in New York City, NY
Property Crime
3,652
2,415.4
+34% 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
55.0°F
+10.2°F in Augusta, GA
Annual Precipitation
46.5 in
49.9 in
+3.4 in in New York City, NY

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.95/gal
+2% in New York City, NY

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs New York City.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$3.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.8
29.9
+89% in New York City, NY
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$33.28
$22.74
+32% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in New York City, NY
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.92
+10% in New York City, NY
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Augusta, GA
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.90
+7% in New York City, NY
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.19
+15% in New York City, NY
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in New York City, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NY)
4%
4%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
10.90%
+5.7 pp in NY

Augusta vs New York City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or New York City?
Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 44% below New York City, NY's $2,010, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in New York City?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $68,000 in New York City.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or New York City?
Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); New York City under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% 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).