CostIndexUSA

Augusta, GA vs Columbus, GA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

GA
Augusta
91.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableGA
Columbus
89.3
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Columbus is slightly cheaper than Augusta — 2.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $77,700 in Columbus. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing13.3%
Augusta
70.6
Columbus
61.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Augusta
96.3
Columbus
96.3
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Augusta
103.5
Columbus
103.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Augusta
93.6
Columbus
93.6
Utilities≈ Equal
Augusta
89.5
Columbus
89.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Columbus, GA
$77,700
$2,300 less needed in Columbus

Formula: salary × (89.3 ÷ 91.9) = salary × 0.9717. 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×

Columbus, GA

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
61.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Augusta has 13.3% lower housing costs compared to Columbus.

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

Columbus, GA

Median Household Income
$54,700
Per Capita Income
$31,200
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
206,922
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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)

Columbus, GA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.