Median rent is 42% lower in Augusta-Richmond County ($1,087/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Augusta-Richmond County, where the median home runs $162,900 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $53,134 a year).
City A
Augusta-Richmond County, GA
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA 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
Los Angeles
California
👥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 $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, a 42% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $162,900 in Augusta-Richmond County — 81% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Georgia's top income tax rate is 5.49% versus 13.30% in California, so Augusta-Richmond County is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in Georgia and 7.25% in California; 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%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Augusta-Richmond County has cleaner air on average: 51.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 77.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,366/yr).
Pick Augusta-Richmond County if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,087/mo median).
Pick Augusta-Richmond County if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 51.0).
Pick Augusta-Richmond County if you prioritize lower state income tax (5.49%).
Is Augusta-Richmond County cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Augusta-Richmond County vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,087/mo in Augusta-Richmond County, GA and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Augusta-Richmond County, GA has the lower rent by about 42%.
Which has higher salaries — Augusta-Richmond County or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta-Richmond County, GA and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA 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?
Augusta-Richmond County, GA has better air quality on average: 51.0 AQI versus 77.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Augusta-Richmond County or Los Angeles?
Georgia's top income tax rate is 5.49% and California's is 13.30%. Augusta-Richmond County, GA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles 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