Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Portland?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Portland, OR's $1,620, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $58,000 in Portland.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Portland?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Portland under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Augusta vs Portland Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Portland

Oregon

$1,620/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 $1,620 in Portland, OR. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Portland, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $88,792 in Portland, OR — about 40% higher in Portland, OR. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Portland, OR

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,294

+65% in Portland, OR

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,440

+57% in Portland, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,741

+68% in Portland, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$2,053

+67% in Portland, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$557,600

+242% in Portland, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$88,792

+67% in Portland, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$60,690

+32% in Portland, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

38.6 yr

+3.7 yr in Portland, OR

Homeownership

50.9%

52.8%

+1.9 pp in Portland, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

53.5%

+29.3 pp in Portland, OR

Avg Commute

20.6 min

24.6 min

+4.0 min in Portland, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

732.3

+34% in Portland, OR

Property Crime

3,652

5,609.4

+54% in Portland, OR

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

54.5°F

+10.7°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

42.9 in

+3.7 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Portland, OR

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.80

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

16.3

+3% in Portland, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$20.59

+38% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Portland, OR

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Portland, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Portland, OR

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Portland, OR

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Portland, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / OR)

None

+4.0 pp in GA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

9.90%

+4.7 pp in OR

Augusta vs Portland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Portland?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Portland, OR's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Portland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $58,000 in Portland.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Portland?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Portland under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).