CostIndexUSA

Augusta, GA vs Boston, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Augusta
91.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
MA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent

Augusta is significantly cheaper than Boston — 17.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $94,300 in Boston. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+110.2%
Augusta
70.6
Boston
148.4
🛒 Groceries+3.5%
Augusta
96.3
Boston
99.7
🚗 Transportation+5.1%
Augusta
103.5
Boston
108.8
🏥 Healthcare+5.1%
Augusta
93.6
Boston
98.4
Utilities+66.3%
Augusta
89.5
Boston
148.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Augusta to see what you'd need to earn in Boston to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Boston, MA
$94,300
$14,300 more needed in Boston

Formula: salary × (108.3 ÷ 91.9) = salary × 1.1785. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Augusta, GA

Median Home Price
$239,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
70.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.7×

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$709,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,050
Housing Index
148.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Boston has 110.2% higher housing costs compared to Augusta.

Income & Job Market

Augusta, GA

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
202,081
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingEducation

Boston, MA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
692,600
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTechnologyBiotechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Augusta, GA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Boston, MA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.