Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Paterson?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $47,000 in Paterson.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Paterson?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Paterson under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Paterson Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

Paterson

New Jersey

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Paterson, NJ. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Paterson, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $53,766 in Paterson, NJ — about 1% higher in Paterson, NJ. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Paterson, NJ

Rent

Studio

$784

$786

+0% in Paterson, NJ

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,183

+29% in Paterson, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,468

+42% in Paterson, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,729

+41% in Paterson, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$335,400

+106% in Paterson, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$53,766

+1% in Paterson, NJ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$61,430

+34% in Paterson, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

33.3 yr

+1.6 yr in Augusta, GA

Homeownership

50.9%

26.2%

+24.7 pp in Augusta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

12.5%

+11.7 pp in Augusta, GA

Avg Commute

20.6 min

23.1 min

+2.5 min in Paterson, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

1,010.1

+85% in Paterson, NJ

Property Crime

3,652

2,391.4

+35% 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

52.2°F

+13.0°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

49.0 in

+2.5 in in Paterson, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

24.9

+53% in Paterson, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$17.68

+54% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Paterson, NJ

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Paterson, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Paterson, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Paterson, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Paterson, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NJ)

6.625%

+2.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

10.75%

+5.6 pp in NJ

Augusta vs Paterson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Paterson?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Paterson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $47,000 in Paterson.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Paterson?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Paterson under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).