Augusta, GA, known as "The Garden City," is famous for its picturesque landscapes and rich history. Located in eastern Georgia along the Savannah River, Augusta is approximately 150 miles east of Atlanta and 80 miles southwest of Columbia, SC. This medium-sized city is renowned for hosting the prestigious Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club, attracting visitors from around the world.
Augusta's climate features hot, humid summers and mild winters, providing ideal conditions for year-round outdoor activities. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, including the scenic Augusta Riverwalk and Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, offering trails, gardens, and opportunities for boating and fishing.
The cultural scene in Augusta is vibrant, with attractions like the Augusta Museum of History, the Morris Museum of Art, and the Imperial Theatre. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Westobou Festival and the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival, celebrating the city's artistic and cultural achievements.
Education is a priority in Augusta, with institutions like Augusta University and Paine College providing higher education opportunities. The city's public and private schools are highly regarded, making Augusta an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as the Augusta University Health, also supports a strong job market.
Living in Augusta combines the benefits of a vibrant cultural scene with a high quality of life. Residents enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system and well-maintained infrastructure make commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its historical richness, cultural vibrancy, and welcoming atmosphere, Augusta offers a dynamic and fulfilling living experience.
Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Employment
A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.
Schools
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
Augusta is a highly populated city located in the state of Georgia. The city has a population of 204,183 inhabitants. Augusta is mostly populated by White (35%) and Black or African American (57%) ethnic groups. Augusta is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 41% married, this city falls well below the national average. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Augusta is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 21 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to decide if living in Augusta is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before moving to any new city in Georgia, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Augusta and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Augusta to Georgia and the national average.
Augusta has a livability score of 64 out of 100 and is ranked #236 in Georgia and #13,533 in the USA. Based on the scores for each individual category, Augusta has received high marks for housing (A+). There are some categories that Augusta ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F), crime (F), education (D-) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Augusta apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Augusta real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Augusta. The median home price for Augusta homes is $202,416, which is 27.2% lower than the Georgia average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Augusta, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.1, which is 16.2% lower than the Georgia average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Augusta | Georgia | National |
| Average one way commute | 21min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.8% | 79.6% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.2% | 10.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.8% | 2.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.8% | 1.6% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.7% | 5.1% | 4.6% |
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