Median rent is 34% lower in Augusta-Richmond County ($1,087/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Augusta-Richmond County, where the median home runs $162,900 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Austin ($91,461 vs $53,134 a year).
City A
Augusta-Richmond County, GA
City B
Austin, TX
How much would you need to earn in Austin, TX to maintain your standard of living from Augusta-Richmond County, GA?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Augusta-Richmond County
Georgia
Austin
Texas
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Augusta-Richmond County — median rent of $1,087/mo versus $1,655/mo in Austin, a 34% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $162,900 in Augusta-Richmond County — 68% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Georgia tops out at 5.49% — giving Austin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in Georgia and 6.25% in Texas; Augusta-Richmond County has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Augusta-Richmond County
Income tax: 5.49%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Austin has cleaner air on average: 47.0 AQI (Good) compared to 51.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,461/yr).
Pick Augusta-Richmond County if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,087/mo median).
Pick Austin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Augusta-Richmond County cheaper than Austin?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Augusta-Richmond County vs Austin?
Median rent is $1,087/mo in Augusta-Richmond County, GA and $1,655/mo in Austin, TX. Augusta-Richmond County, GA has the lower rent by about 34%.
Which has higher salaries — Augusta-Richmond County or Austin?
Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta-Richmond County, GA and $91,461 in Austin, TX. Austin, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Austin, TX has better air quality on average: 47.0 AQI versus 51.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Augusta-Richmond County or Austin?
Texas has no state income tax. Georgia has a top rate of 5.49%.
What salary do I need in Austin to match my Augusta-Richmond County income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology