CostIndexUSA

Augusta, GA vs Detroit, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Augusta
91.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
MI
Detroit
100.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Augusta is moderately cheaper than Detroit — 9.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Augusta, you would need $87,300 in Detroit. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+34.1%
Augusta
70.6
Detroit
94.7
🛒 Groceries+2.6%
Augusta
96.3
Detroit
98.8
🚗 Transportation+4.1%
Augusta
103.5
Detroit
107.7
🏥 Healthcare+4.2%
Augusta
93.6
Detroit
97.5
Utilities+19.6%
Augusta
89.5
Detroit
107

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Detroit, MI
$87,300
$7,300 more needed in Detroit

Formula: salary × (100.3 ÷ 91.9) = salary × 1.0914. 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×

Detroit, MI

Median Home Price
$254,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
94.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Detroit has 34.1% 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

Detroit, MI

Median Household Income
$72,600
Per Capita Income
$41,400
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
672,795
Top Industries
AutomotiveHealthcareTechnologyFinanceManufacturing

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)

Detroit, MI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.