CostIndexUSA

Augusta, GA vs Durham, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Augusta
91.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
NC
Durham
97.6
overall index
$1,650/mo rent

Augusta is moderately cheaper than Durham — 6.2% lower overall cost of living.

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

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+40.1%
Augusta
70.6
Durham
98.9
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Augusta
96.3
Durham
96.6
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Augusta
103.5
Durham
103.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Augusta
93.6
Durham
93.3
Utilities≈ Equal
Augusta
89.5
Durham
89.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Durham, NC
$85,000
$5,000 more needed in Durham

Formula: salary × (97.6 ÷ 91.9) = salary × 1.0620. 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×

Durham, NC

Median Home Price
$402,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
98.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Durham has 40.1% 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

Durham, NC

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
278,993
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareEducationResearchFinance

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)

Durham, NC
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.