Los Angeles vs Augusta: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Los Angeles, California compare to Augusta, Georgia? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Augusta is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 480% higher in Los Angeles compared to Augusta, while rent is 75% higher. State income tax is 13.3% in CA vs 5.49% in GA.
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Augusta, GA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $822,600 | $141,900 | +479.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,791 | $1,023 | +75.1% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $76,244 | $50,492 | +51.0% |
| Per Capita Income | $43,527 | $28,503 | +52.7% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 5.5% | +142.3% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 7.4% | +17.8% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 3,881,041 | 201,615 | +1825.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Los Angeles
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Augusta
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Los Angeles costs $822,600 compared to $141,900 in Augusta — a 480% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,791/mo in Los Angeles vs $1,023/mo in Augusta.
- Income: Median household income is $76,244 in Los Angeles and $50,492 in Augusta.
- Taxes: State income tax is 13.3% in California vs 5.49% in Georgia.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).