Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Warwick?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $43,000 in Warwick.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Warwick?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Warwick Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

Warwick

Rhode Island

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Warwick, RI. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Warwick, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $87,536 in Warwick, RI — about 39% higher in Warwick, RI. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Warwick, RI

Rent

Studio

$784

$923

+18% in Warwick, RI

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,085

+18% in Warwick, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,629

+57% in Warwick, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,569

+28% in Warwick, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$322,000

+98% in Warwick, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$87,536

+65% in Warwick, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$53,680

+17% in Warwick, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

44.6 yr

+9.7 yr in Warwick, RI

Homeownership

50.9%

73.4%

+22.5 pp in Warwick, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

33.2%

+9.0 pp in Warwick, RI

Avg Commute

20.6 min

25.0 min

+4.4 min in Warwick, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

79.5

+85% in Augusta, GA

Property Crime

3,652

1,149.5

+69% 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

51.6°F

+13.6°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

47.2 in

+0.6 in in Warwick, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

29.2

+79% in Warwick, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$25.75

+33% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Warwick, RI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Warwick, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Warwick, RI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Warwick, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Warwick, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / RI)

+3.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.99%

+0.8 pp in RI

Augusta vs Warwick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Warwick?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Warwick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $43,000 in Warwick.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Warwick?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).