Augusta, KY vs Melbourne, KY

Augusta, KY and Melbourne, KY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.8% difference in their overall index. Augusta scores 62 while Melbourne scores 65 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Augusta is $696/month compared to $638/month in Melbourne — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Melbourne has cheaper rent, Augusta actually has lower median home values ($100,700 vs $160,400).

Median household income in Augusta is $43,854 compared to $66,458 in Melbourne (-34%). While Melbourne is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Augusta spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, more than the 11.5% in Melbourne.