Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

vs
Tampa

Florida

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tampa, FL. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tampa, FL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 25% higher in Tampa, FL. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA
Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio
$784
$1,242
+58% in Tampa, FL
1 Bedroom
$916
$1,324
+45% in Tampa, FL
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$1,673
+62% in Tampa, FL
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$1,729
+41% in Tampa, FL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$375,300
+130% in Tampa, FL

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$71,302
+34% in Tampa, FL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$48,940
+6% in Tampa, FL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
35.6 yr
+0.7 yr in Tampa, FL
Homeownership
50.9%
50.2%
+0.7 pp in Augusta, GA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
44.6%
+20.4 pp in Tampa, FL
Avg Commute
20.6 min
24.7 min
+4.1 min in Tampa, FL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
443.2
+19% in Augusta, GA
Property Crime
3,652
1,473.2
+60% 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
73.4°F
+8.2°F in Tampa, FL
Annual Precipitation
46.5 in
46.3 in
+0.3 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.77/gal
+2% in Augusta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs HART (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.8
15.2
+4% in Augusta, GA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$33.28
$23.62
+29% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.00
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.75
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.21
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.45
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$1.90
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / FL)
4%
6%
+2.0 pp in FL
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
None
+5.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Tampa?
Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Tampa?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $53,000 in Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Tampa?
Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax 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).