Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Rochester?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Rochester, NY's $1,160, mainly because of electricity costs.

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 $34,000 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 New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Rochester

New York

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Rochester, NY. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, NY, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $46,628 in Rochester, NY — about 12% higher in Augusta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Rochester, NY

Rent

Studio

$784

$750

+4% in Augusta, GA

1 Bedroom

$916

$857

+6% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,114

+8% in Rochester, NY

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,240

+1% in Rochester, NY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$120,600

+26% in Augusta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$46,628

+12% in Augusta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$51,210

+11% in Rochester, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

33.5 yr

+1.4 yr in Augusta, GA

Homeownership

50.9%

37.2%

+13.7 pp in Augusta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

29.9%

+5.7 pp in Rochester, NY

Avg Commute

20.6 min

18.9 min

+1.7 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

690

+26% in Rochester, NY

Property Crime

3,652

3,533.4

+3% 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

48.2°F

+17.0°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

34.3 in

+12.3 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.04/gal

+5% in Rochester, NY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

29.9

+89% in Rochester, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$22.74

+32% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rochester, NY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Rochester, NY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Rochester, NY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Rochester, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rochester, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NY)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

10.90%

+5.7 pp in NY

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 3% below Rochester, NY's $1,160, mainly because of electricity costs.
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 $34,000 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 New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).