Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Augusta-Richmond County to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Phoenix has higher median income ($81,332 vs $55,485) and higher housing costs (rent $1,582 vs $1,142; home value $420,700 vs $178,400) than Augusta-Richmond County. Phoenix also has a longer commute (28 vs 23 minutes) and applies a 2.50% state income tax in the model, while Augusta-Richmond County’s tax is excluded per source boundaries. The trade-off involves weighing Phoenix’s stronger income against its elevated housing burden, tax, and commute versus Augusta’s lower costs and shorter commute but significantly lower income.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → Augusta-Richmond CountyMoving from Augusta-Richmond County to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$440/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$5,280 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+5 min / day
Difference of ~42 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTAUG → PHX
54/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$4,304after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Augusta-Richmond County is about $5,280 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Augusta-Richmond County household income$55,485
Phoenix household income$81,332
Augusta-Richmond County gross rent$1,142
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Augusta-Richmond County | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 201,528 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $55,485 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,142 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $178,400 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 23 minutes in Augusta-Richmond County and 28 minutes in Phoenix. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median owner-occupied home value
- One-way commute time
- State individual income tax in model
What each city wins
Augusta-Richmond County
Moderate home values. Watch rent vs owner-occupied costs.
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has higher housing costs relative to income?
Phoenix has higher median gross rent ($1,582) and home value ($420,700) than Augusta-Richmond County ($1,142 rent, $178,400 value), but also substantially higher income ($81,332 vs $55,485), requiring a ratio-based comparison for affordability assessment.
How do commute times and tax treatment differ between the cities?
Phoenix has a 28-minute average one-way commute versus 23 minutes in Augusta-Richmond County, and the model applies a 2.50% state income tax for Phoenix while no state tax is included for Augusta-Richmond County due to source boundaries.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.