Salary Needed to Live in Augusta as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $52,084/year to live comfortably in Augusta, ME, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $52,084/year to live comfortably in Augusta, ME. The bare-minimum salary is $44,850/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,038.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,691/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,340/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$52,084
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$44,850
$3,738/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,691
25% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Augusta
| Expense | Augusta | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $643 | $1,351 | -52% |
| Groceries | $207 | $207 | 0% |
| Utilities | $169 | $169 | 0% |
| Transportation | $303 | $316 | -4% |
| Car Insurance | $205 | $229 | -10% |
| Health Insurance | $545 | $690 | -21% |
| Internet | $62 | $65 | -5% |
| Phone | $82 | $85 | -4% |
| Dining & Social | $288 | $300 | -4% |
| Entertainment | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Personal Care | $72 | $75 | -4% |
| Total Monthly | $2,691 | $3,607 | -25% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,691
Target savings (10%):$347/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,038
Effective tax rate:28%
Gross annual salary needed:$52,084
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$643
Studio/1BR rent is 24% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
28%
Estimated federal plus ME state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$347/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 studio/1br housing near $643/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $619/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $44,850/year as the survival floor and $52,084/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Augusta
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Augusta?
A single person needs approximately $52,084/year ($4,340/month gross) to live comfortably in Augusta with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Augusta?
A studio/1br in Augusta costs approximately $643/month, which is the largest single expense at 24% of the total budget.
Is Augusta affordable for a single person?
Yes, Augusta is 25% more affordable than the national average for a single person.