Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Rochester?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Rochester?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,280/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 $1,280 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, MN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 39% higher in Rochester, MN. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,080

+38% in Rochester, MN

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,106

+21% in Rochester, MN

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,243

+20% in Rochester, MN

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,646

+34% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$287,500

+76% in Rochester, MN

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$87,767

+65% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$60,620

+32% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

36.4 yr

+1.5 yr in Rochester, MN

Homeownership

50.9%

65.4%

+14.5 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

50.1%

+25.9 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

20.6 min

17.2 min

+3.4 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

158.9

+71% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

1,379

+62% 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

45.4°F

+19.8°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

33.0 in

+13.5 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.95/gal

+2% in Rochester, MN

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

16.9

+7% in Rochester, MN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$14.95

+55% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rochester, MN

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Augusta, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Rochester, MN

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Rochester, MN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / MN)

6.875%

+2.9 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

9.85%

+4.7 pp in MN

Augusta vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Rochester?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Rochester?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).