Can I Afford to Live in Augusta vs Bellevue on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Augusta, GA
$4,690/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (26% of take-home)
Comfortable
Bellevue, WA
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $2,700/mo (53% of take-home)
Difficult

Monthly budget breakdown

Expense
Augusta
GA
Bellevue
WA
Monthly take-home (est.)$4,690$5,057
1BR rent$1,200$2,700
Groceries (est.)$353$426
Transport (est.)$42$100
Utilities$162$120
Internet$58$68
Left after essentials$2,875/month$1,643/month
Bellevue (Washington) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Augusta (GA rate: 5.5%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Augusta?

At $80K/year in Augusta, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,690. With 1BR rent around $1,200/month, rent takes up 26% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $80K a good salary in Bellevue?

At $80K/year in Bellevue, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $2,700/month, rent takes up 53% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

Augusta leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,875/month vs $1,643/month in Bellevue.

Can I afford to live alone in Augusta on $80K?

Yes. At $80K in Augusta, rent takes 26% of your take-home, leaving $2,875/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Augusta vs Bellevue

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See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only