Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Augusta, GA (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Augusta

Georgia
67

San Jose is 279% more expensive than Augusta.

$2,617/mo ↑ 141%
Median Rent
$1,087/mo ↓ 58%
$141,565/yr ↑ 166%
Median Income
$53,134/yr ↓ 62%
$1,187,800 ↑ 629%
Home Value
$162,900 ↓ 86%
$2,775/mo ↑ 164%
Owner Costs
$1,053/mo ↓ 62%
990,054
Population
201,504

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.49%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Augusta, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 67 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,530/month cheaper in Augusta, saving renters about $18,360/year.

Median household income is $88,431/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $162,900 in Augusta.

Georgia has a lower income tax rate, making Augusta slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Augusta — common questions

Is San Jose or Augusta cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Augusta is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Augusta?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Augusta it's $1,087/month — a difference of $1,530/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Augusta?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $53,134 in Augusta. Median household income is $88,431/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and Georgia?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Augusta?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Augusta has a cost index of 67 with rent of $1,087/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Augusta details →

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