Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Rutland?

Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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 Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Rutland?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Rutland, VT. Overall, Rutland, VT is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 3% higher in Rutland, VT. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$784

$893

+14% in Rutland, VT

1 Bedroom

$916

$856

+7% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,097

+6% in Rutland, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,207

+2% in Augusta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$176,400

+8% in Rutland, VT

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$55,000

+4% in Rutland, VT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

48.5 yr

+13.6 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

50.9%

52.7%

+1.8 pp in Rutland, VT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

32.2%

+8.0 pp in Rutland, VT

Avg Commute

20.6 min

14.7 min

+5.9 min in Augusta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

487.8

+11% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

3,973.3

+9% in Rutland, VT

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

44.6°F

+20.6°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

40.5 in

+6.1 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

24.4

+49% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$26.07

+32% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rutland, VT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / VT)

+2.0 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

8.75%

+3.6 pp in VT

Augusta vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Rutland?: Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Rutland?: 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 Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Rutland?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% 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).