Augusta wins overall by ~21% (COL index)
Cost of living: Augusta vs Chicago (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Augusta buys roughly what $75,529 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$10,363/yr
Favoring Augusta for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $864/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~18 months and still keep ~$104/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Augusta Georgia | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $950Wins | $1,500 | Augusta wins +$550/mo | $6,600/yr saves in Augusta |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,200Wins | $1,900 | Augusta wins +$700/mo | $8,400/yr saves in Augusta |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,550Wins | $2,600 | Augusta wins +$1,050/mo | $12,600/yr saves in Augusta |
| Median home price | $220KWins | $360K | Augusta wins +$140K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 93Better | 102 | Augusta wins +9 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Wins | $15 | Augusta wins +$4/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $48Wins | $60 | Augusta wins +$12/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $42Wins | $105 | Augusta wins +$63/mo | $756/yr saves in Augusta |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Better | $3.40 | Augusta wins +$0.35 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Better | $165 | Augusta wins +$17/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $162Better | $165 | Augusta wins +$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $65 | Augusta wins +$7/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $49K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$18K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.5% | 4.9%Better | Chicago wins -0.6 pp | $360/yr saves in Chicago |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.0%Wins | 10.3% | Augusta wins +2.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Wins | $16.00 | Augusta wins +$3.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33Wins | $45 | Augusta wins +$12/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Wins | $7.00 | Augusta wins +$2.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 85Wins | 107 | Augusta wins +22 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +50 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Augusta fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Augusta.
High-yield savings
Park ~$8,400/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Augusta cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Augusta is 21% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (85 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Augusta vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Augusta is $1,200/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Augusta is cheaper by 37%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Augusta?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $94,412/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Augusta. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Augusta or Chicago?
Chicago has the lower state income tax rate at 4.9% vs 5.5%. The difference is 0.6 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Augusta to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Augusta offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Augusta ↔ Chicago
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