Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of natural gas costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Spokane?

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

Augusta vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 19% higher in Spokane, 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

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$784

$884

+13% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$916

$903

+1% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,192

+15% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,442

+17% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$326,200

+100% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$65,745

+24% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$54,660

+19% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

37.2 yr

+2.3 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

50.9%

58.3%

+7.4 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

32.6%

+8.4 pp in Spokane, WA

Avg Commute

20.6 min

21.2 min

+0.6 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

683.6

+25% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

3,652

4,931.8

+35% in Spokane, 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

48.9°F

+16.3°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

17.8 in

+28.8 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.12/gal

+33% in Spokane, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

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 Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Spokane, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, 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 Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Augusta, GA's $1,120, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Spokane?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Spokane 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).