Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Philadelphia?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Philadelphia, PA's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $48,000 in Philadelphia.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Philadelphia?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Philadelphia under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Philadelphia Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Philadelphia, PA. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Philadelphia, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $60,698 in Philadelphia, PA — about 12% higher in Philadelphia, PA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Philadelphia, PA

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,126

+44% in Philadelphia, PA

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,189

+30% in Philadelphia, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,394

+35% in Philadelphia, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,406

+14% in Philadelphia, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$232,400

+43% in Philadelphia, PA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$60,698

+14% in Philadelphia, PA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$54,310

+18% in Philadelphia, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

35.1 yr

+0.2 yr in Philadelphia, PA

Homeownership

50.9%

52.3%

+1.4 pp in Philadelphia, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

34.6%

+10.4 pp in Philadelphia, PA

Avg Commute

20.6 min

32.0 min

+11.4 min in Philadelphia, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

917.1

+68% in Philadelphia, PA

Property Crime

3,652

4,615.3

+26% in Philadelphia, PA

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

57.1°F

+8.1°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

48.5 in

+2.0 in in Philadelphia, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.50

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

21.6

+36% in Philadelphia, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$19.17

+42% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Philadelphia, PA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Philadelphia, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Philadelphia, PA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Philadelphia, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Philadelphia, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / PA)

+2.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

3.07%

+2.1 pp in GA

Augusta vs Philadelphia — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Philadelphia?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Philadelphia, PA's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Philadelphia?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $48,000 in Philadelphia.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Philadelphia?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Philadelphia under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% 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).