Augusta wins overall by ~7% (COL index)
Cost of living: Kansas City vs Augusta (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Kansas City buys roughly what $56,044 does in Augusta (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
−$547/yr
Favoring Augusta for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $46/mo in Augusta, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
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 | Kansas City Missouri | Augusta Georgia | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $950Better | $950 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,200Better | $1,200 | — | — |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,600 | $1,550Better | Augusta wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Augusta |
| Median home price | $280K | $220KWins | Augusta wins −$60K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 95 | 93Better | Augusta wins -2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12 | $11Better | Augusta wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50 | $48Better | Augusta wins −$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $70 | $42Wins | Augusta wins −$28/mo | $336/yr saves in Augusta |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.05 | Kansas wins +$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145Better | $148 | Kansas wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $165 | $162Better | Augusta wins −$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60 | $58Better | Augusta wins −$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $58KWins | $49K | Kansas wins −$9K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.4%Better | 5.5% | Kansas wins +0.1 pp | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.6% | 8.0%Better | Augusta wins -0.6 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00 | $13.00Better | Augusta wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35 | $33Better | Augusta wins −$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 91 | 85Better | Augusta wins -6 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 38Wins | 28 | Kansas wins -10 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
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
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
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Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kansas City cheaper than Augusta?
No. Augusta is 7% cheaper than Kansas City based on overall cost of living indices (85 vs 91, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Kansas City vs Augusta?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Kansas City is $1,200/month and in Augusta is $1,200/month. Kansas City is more expensive by 0%.
How much do I need to earn in Augusta to match a $75,000 salary in Kansas City?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $70,055/year in Augusta to match a $75,000 salary in Kansas City. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Kansas City or Augusta?
Kansas City has the lower state income tax rate at 5.4% vs 5.5%. The difference is 0.1 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Kansas City to Augusta?
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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