Best Places to Live

Augusta, Georgia

| Overall Score 6.5 / 10
| Overall Score 6.7 / 10
The Laurel and Hardy Museum 
A local suburbian neighborhood
The Imperial Theatre 
Augusta University
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What's it like to live in Augusta, GA?

Carolyn Crist

Profile written by local expert:

Carolyn Crist

Located near the South Carolina border, Augusta, Georgia, is the state's second largest metropolitan area. Most out-of-towners recognize Augusta as the home of the Masters golf tournament, but those who live here know there's much more to the area than fairways and sand traps.

Founded in the early 1700s along the Savannah River, Augusta played a crucial role in the Revolutionary and Civil wars. Augusta even spent a decade as the state capital in the late 18th century, and more recently, Augusta was the childhood home of James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul." But the metro area isn't stuck in the past. Today, Augusta is home to a thriving culinary scene, and residents show a deep appreciation for the arts and the outdoors.

Augusta is also becoming a destination for retirees who want warm weather and a low cost of living. Plus, suburbs in nearby towns Evans, Martinez and Grovetown are go-to places for families to settle and commute into the downtown area.

Rankings

U.S. News analyzed 125 metro areas in the United States to find the best places to live based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people's desire to live there.

Augusta, Georgia is ranked:

#72 in Best Places to Live

#40 in Best Places to Retire

6.5

Overall

Scorecard

Best Places to Live

  • Desirability
    6.2
  • Value
    7.1
  • Job Market
    6.0
  • Quality of Life
    6.4
  • Net Migration
    6.4

Read how we rank places

Augusta, GA Quick Stats

  • 589,519

    Metro Population

  • $44,020

    Average Annual Salary

  • 76.8° / 50.9°

    Avg High/Low Temps

  • 37.2

    Median Age

  • $147,427

    Median Home Price

  • 43.6 inches

    AVG Annual Rainfall

  • 4.1%

    Unemployment Rate

  • $809

    Median Monthly Rent

  • 23.7 minutes

    Avg Commute Time

What's the cost of living in Augusta, GA?

The cost of living in Augusta varies widely by neighborhood, but overall it's noticeably cheaper than the national average. This low cost of living draws families, college students and retirees who want to live in a decently sized metro area but not pay a high price for housing. However, Augusta residents tend to pay more for groceries than the average American.

Value Index

Index Score: 7.1 /10

How we calculate this.

Augusta offers a better value than similarly sized metro areas when you compare housing costs to median household income.

Housing Costs 2018

Augusta
$147,427

USA
$227,025

Find a Top Agent »

Housing Costs Over Time

Data sourced from Zillow median home sale price data series. Additional data provided by the Austin Board of Realtors, Houston Association of Realtors, Intermountain MLS, Omaha Area Board of Realtors, San Antonio Board of Realtors, and the Salt Lake Board of Realtors.

Buying or selling a home? Find top real estate agents in Augusta, GA.

What's the weather like in Augusta, GA?

Augusta sees a good amount of rain each year, and it remains humid year-round. It hardly snows in Augusta, though cold weather can close businesses and schools. 

Seasonal Temperature (Avgs)

47.2°F


Winter

63.2°F


Spring

80.2°F


Summer

64.7°F


Fall

Seasonal Rainfall (Avgs)

3.9 in


Winter

4.2 in


Spring

4.7 in


Summer

3.3 in


Fall

Monthly High and Low Temperatures (°F)

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center.

What's the best way to get around Augusta, GA?

The majority of Augusta residents rely on their cars to get around. Augusta's downtown and Riverwalk are pedestrian-friendly, but moving around the rest of the metro area requires a car.

Augusta Public Transit operates nine fixed bus routes and a rural transit service, though given its limited coverage, it's not a primary mode of transportation for most residents.

The Augusta Regional Airport offers limited service to Atlanta and Charlotte via Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. For more options, residents can travel 150 miles west to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Commuting in Augusta, GA

Means of Transportation
Driving
94%
Above national average
Bicycling
0%
Equal to national average
Walking
2%
Equal to national average
Public Transit
1%
Below national average
Average Commute Time

23.7 minutes

2.7 minutes less than national average

Average Commute Times by Zip Code

Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Who lives in Augusta, GA?

In general, Augusta attracts families, retirees and, thanks to Augusta University (the state's flagship public medical school), students. Residents over age 65 comprise 14 percent of the population, while more than a quarter are under age 20. Augusta is also home to nearly 20,000 veterans, which is not surprising considering it's home to the Fort Gordon military base.

Augusta, like most of Georgia, lies along the Bible Belt and contains an impressive variety of Christian congregations. Still, there are religious homes for those with other beliefs, too, including Jewish synagogues, a Hindu temple and an Islamic community center.

Age Distribution

Marital Status Breakdown

About the same number of single people in Augusta as national average

Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What is there to do in Augusta, GA?

Augusta is probably best known for its golf courses. The scenic Augusta National Golf Club hosts the Masters Tournament every year. Those who aren't golfers will also find plenty of ways to get outside in Augusta.

In the downtown area, the Augusta Riverwalk features two parallel brick walkways: one along the Savannah River and the other elevated above. Saturday farmers markets and Sunday jazz concerts take place along the river between May and August. Sports fans can cheer on the Augusta GreenJackets baseball team.

For a dose of nature, residents head to the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and Clarks Hill Lake. History buffs can visit Confederate soldiers' graves at the Magnolia Cemetery, tour President Woodrow Wilson's boyhood home or visit the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. Residents also enjoy concerts at the James Brown Arena, plays at the Imperial Theatre and fine art at the Morris Museum of Art.

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