Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Worcester?

Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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 Worcester.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Worcester?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Worcester Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/mo est.

Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/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 $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Worcester, MA, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 21% higher in Worcester, MA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio

$784

$1,087

+39% in Worcester, MA

1 Bedroom

$916

$1,028

+12% in Worcester, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$1,476

+43% in Worcester, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,675

+36% in Worcester, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$339,500

+108% in Worcester, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$67,544

+27% in Worcester, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$57,830

+26% in Worcester, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

34.1 yr

+0.8 yr in Augusta, GA

Homeownership

50.9%

42.4%

+8.5 pp in Augusta, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

34.1%

+9.9 pp in Worcester, MA

Avg Commute

20.6 min

25.1 min

+4.5 min in Worcester, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

640.2

+17% in Worcester, MA

Property Crime

3,652

1,580.3

+57% 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

47.9°F

+17.3°F in Augusta, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

48.1 in

+1.5 in in Worcester, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.07/gal

+3% in Worcester, MA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

29.6

+81% in Worcester, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$30.66

+21% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Worcester, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Worcester, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Augusta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Worcester, MA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Worcester, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Worcester, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / MA)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

9.00%

+3.8 pp in MA

Augusta vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Worcester?: Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,130 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Worcester?: 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 Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Worcester?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).