Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Rapid City?

Rapid City, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $32,000 in Rapid City.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Rapid City?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Rapid City under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Rapid City Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

Rapid City

South Dakota

$970/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 $970 in Rapid City, SD. Overall, Rapid City, SD is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $65,712 in Rapid City, SD — about 19% higher in Rapid City, SD. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Rapid City, SD

Rent

Studio

$784

$533

+32% in Augusta, GA

1 Bedroom

$916

$807

+12% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,156

+12% in Rapid City, SD

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,260

+2% in Rapid City, SD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$270,000

+66% in Rapid City, SD

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$65,712

+24% in Rapid City, SD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$46,270

+1% in Rapid City, SD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

39.0 yr

+4.1 yr in Rapid City, SD

Homeownership

50.9%

61.6%

+10.7 pp in Rapid City, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

36.4%

+12.2 pp in Rapid City, SD

Avg Commute

20.6 min

17.4 min

+3.2 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

718.9

+31% in Rapid City, SD

Property Crime

3,652

3,795.8

+4% in Rapid City, SD

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

47.1°F

+18.1°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

16.3 in

+30.3 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Augusta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

15.4

+6% in Augusta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$15.26

+60% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rapid City, SD

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Augusta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Rapid City, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Rapid City, SD

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Rapid City, SD

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / SD)

4.2%

+0.2 pp in SD

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Rapid City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Rapid City?: Rapid City, SD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Rapid City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $32,000 in Rapid City.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Rapid City?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Rapid City under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% 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).