Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

vs
Wilmington

Delaware

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Wilmington, DE. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Wilmington, DE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $55,269 in Wilmington, DE — about 4% higher in Wilmington, DE. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Augusta, GA
Wilmington, DE

Rent

Studio
$784
$1,103
+41% in Wilmington, DE
1 Bedroom
$916
$1,024
+12% in Wilmington, DE
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$1,213
+17% in Wilmington, DE
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$1,394
+13% in Wilmington, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$224,500
+38% in Wilmington, DE

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$55,269
+4% in Wilmington, DE
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$54,310
+18% in Wilmington, DE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
37.0 yr
+2.1 yr in Wilmington, DE
Homeownership
50.9%
46.0%
+4.9 pp in Augusta, GA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
33.1%
+8.9 pp in Wilmington, DE
Avg Commute
20.6 min
23.0 min
+2.4 min in Wilmington, DE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
1,138.2
+108% in Wilmington, DE
Property Crime
3,652
3,182.4
+13% 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
54.9°F
+10.3°F in Augusta, GA
Annual Precipitation
46.5 in
43.1 in
+3.5 in in Augusta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.86/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.8
19.4
+22% in Wilmington, DE
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$33.28
$22.51
+32% 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 / DE)
4%
None
+4.0 pp in GA
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
6.60%
+1.4 pp in DE

Augusta vs Wilmington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Wilmington?
Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Wilmington, DE's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Wilmington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $41,000 in Wilmington.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Wilmington?
Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Wilmington under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% 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).