CostIndexUSA

Augusta, GA vs Raleigh, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Augusta
91.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
NC
Raleigh
98.2
overall index
$1,650/mo rent

Augusta is moderately cheaper than Raleigh — 6.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $85,500 in Raleigh. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+46.6%
Augusta
70.6
Raleigh
103.5
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Augusta
96.3
Raleigh
96.6
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Augusta
103.5
Raleigh
103.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Augusta
93.6
Raleigh
93.3
Utilities0.6%
Augusta
89.5
Raleigh
89

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Raleigh, NC
$85,500
$5,500 more needed in Raleigh

Formula: salary × (98.2 ÷ 91.9) = salary × 1.0686. 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×

Raleigh, NC

Median Home Price
$428,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
103.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.6×

Raleigh has 46.6% 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

Raleigh, NC

Median Household Income
$96,100
Per Capita Income
$54,800
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
467,665
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareFinanceGovernment

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)

Raleigh, NC
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.