Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Salem?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $40,000 in Salem.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Salem?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Augusta vs Salem Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Salem

Oregon

$1,170/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 $1,170 in Salem, OR. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Salem, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $71,900 in Salem, OR — about 26% higher in Salem, OR. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Salem, OR

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,075

+37% in Salem, OR

1 Bedroom

$916

$989

+8% in Salem, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,337

+29% in Salem, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,778

+45% in Salem, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$382,400

+135% in Salem, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$71,900

+35% in Salem, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$55,310

+20% in Salem, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

35.7 yr

+0.8 yr in Salem, OR

Homeownership

50.9%

55.7%

+4.8 pp in Salem, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

31.4%

+7.2 pp in Salem, OR

Avg Commute

20.6 min

22.4 min

+1.8 min in Salem, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

540.6

+1% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

2,878.6

+21% 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

53.0°F

+12.2°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

39.7 in

+6.9 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Salem, OR

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

16.3

+3% in Salem, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$20.59

+38% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Salem, OR

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Salem, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Salem, OR

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Salem, OR

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Salem, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / OR)

None

+4.0 pp in GA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

9.90%

+4.7 pp in OR

Augusta vs Salem — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Salem?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Salem?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $40,000 in Salem.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Salem?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).