Salary Needed to Live in Augusta as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $68,140/year to live comfortably in Augusta, ME, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $68,140/year to live comfortably in Augusta, ME. The bare-minimum salary is $56,783/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,964.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,407/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,678/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$68,140
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$56,783
$4,732/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,407
24% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Augusta
| Expense | Augusta | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $781 | $1,641 | -52% |
| Groceries | $320 | $320 | 0% |
| Utilities | $226 | $225 | 0% |
| Transportation | $404 | $421 | -4% |
| Car Insurance | $205 | $229 | -10% |
| Health Insurance | $545 | $690 | -21% |
| Internet | $62 | $65 | -5% |
| Phone (x2) | $134 | $140 | -4% |
| Dining & Social | $432 | $450 | -4% |
| Entertainment | $173 | $180 | -4% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $125 | $130 | -4% |
| Total Monthly | $3,407 | $4,491 | -24% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,407
Target savings (12%):$557/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,964
Effective tax rate:28%
Gross annual salary needed:$68,140
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$781
1-2BR Apartment rent is 23% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
28%
Estimated federal plus ME state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$557/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
96/100
Augusta is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby northeast Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $781/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $926/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $56,783/year as the survival floor and $68,140/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Augusta
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Augusta?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $68,140/year ($5,678/month gross) to live comfortably in Augusta with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Augusta?
A 1-2br apartment in Augusta costs approximately $781/month, which is the largest single expense at 23% of the total budget.
Is Augusta affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Augusta is 24% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).