Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Seattle?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Seattle?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,030/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 $2,030 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 45% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 56% higher in Seattle, WA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,638

+109% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,858

+103% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$2,359

+128% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$2,918

+137% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$912,100

+460% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$121,984

+130% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$72,610

+58% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

35.5 yr

+0.6 yr in Seattle, WA

Homeownership

50.9%

44.2%

+6.7 pp in Augusta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

67.5%

+43.3 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

20.6 min

26.6 min

+6.0 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

788.6

+44% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

3,652

5,108.8

+40% in Seattle, WA

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

53.5°F

+11.7°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

37.7 in

+8.8 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.31/gal

+38% in Seattle, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs King County Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

14.9

+6% in Augusta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$20.41

+39% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Seattle, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / WA)

6.5%

+2.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

None

+5.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Seattle?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Seattle?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).