Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

vs
Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Richmond, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $62,671 in Richmond, VA — about 15% higher in Richmond, VA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA
Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio
$784
$1,183
+51% in Richmond, VA
1 Bedroom
$916
$1,195
+30% in Richmond, VA
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$1,374
+33% in Richmond, VA
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$1,447
+18% in Richmond, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$328,100
+101% in Richmond, VA

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$62,671
+18% in Richmond, VA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$51,460
+12% in Richmond, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
34.5 yr
+0.4 yr in Augusta, GA
Homeownership
50.9%
43.5%
+7.4 pp in Augusta, GA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
44.1%
+19.9 pp in Richmond, VA
Avg Commute
20.6 min
22.1 min
+1.5 min in Richmond, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
349
+36% in Augusta, GA
Property Crime
3,652
3,240.2
+11% 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
58.9°F
+6.3°F in Augusta, GA
Annual Precipitation
46.5 in
43.6 in
+2.9 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.86/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.8
17.6
+11% in Richmond, VA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$33.28
$23.66
+29% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.00
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.75
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.21
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.45
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$1.90
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / VA)
4%
5.3%
+1.3 pp in VA
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
5.75%
+0.6 pp in VA

Augusta vs Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Richmond?
Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Richmond?
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 Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Richmond?
Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).