Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Raleigh?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Raleigh, NC's $1,510, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $53,000 in Raleigh.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Raleigh?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Raleigh under North Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Raleigh Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Raleigh

North Carolina

$1,510/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 $1,510 in Raleigh, NC. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Raleigh, NC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $82,424 in Raleigh, NC — about 36% higher in Raleigh, NC. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; North Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Raleigh, NC

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,301

+66% in Raleigh, NC

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,323

+44% in Raleigh, NC

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,462

+41% in Raleigh, NC

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,715

+39% in Raleigh, NC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$377,800

+132% in Raleigh, NC

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$82,424

+55% in Raleigh, NC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$51,990

+13% in Raleigh, NC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

34.7 yr

+0.2 yr in Augusta, GA

Homeownership

50.9%

51.2%

+0.3 pp in Raleigh, NC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

52.9%

+28.7 pp in Raleigh, NC

Avg Commute

20.6 min

23.4 min

+2.8 min in Raleigh, NC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

491.5

+10% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

2,838.4

+22% 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

60.6°F

+4.6°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

46.0 in

+0.5 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

15.1

+5% in Augusta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$27.56

+17% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NC)

4.75%

+0.8 pp in NC

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

3.99%

+1.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Raleigh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Raleigh?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Raleigh, NC's $1,510, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Raleigh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $53,000 in Raleigh.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Raleigh?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Raleigh under North Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% 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).