Mesa vs Augusta: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Mesa, Arizona 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 131% higher in Mesa compared to Augusta, while rent is 32% higher. State income tax is 2.5% in AZ vs 5.49% in GA.
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Augusta, GA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $327,700 | $141,900 | +130.9% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,352 | $1,023 | +32.2% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $73,766 | $50,492 | +46.1% |
| Per Capita Income | $37,197 | $28,503 | +30.5% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 2.5% | 5.5% | -54.5% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.4% | 7.4% | +13.6% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 503,390 | 201,615 | +149.7% |
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 — Mesa
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 Mesa costs $327,700 compared to $141,900 in Augusta — a 131% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,352/mo in Mesa vs $1,023/mo in Augusta.
- Income: Median household income is $73,766 in Mesa and $50,492 in Augusta.
- Taxes: State income tax is 2.5% in Arizona 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).