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.
Located in the state of Georgia, Augusta is a mid-sized city with a population of 197,535 residents. Augusta is mostly populated by White (35%) and Black or African American (57%) ethnic groups. Augusta is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 41%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Augusta will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 21 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Augusta, Georgia. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, commute, education, 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.
With a livability score of 63/100, Augusta is ranked #13,875 in the United States and #239 in Georgia. Based on the scores for each individual category, Augusta has received high marks for housing (A-). Unfortunately for Augusta, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F), crime (F), education (D-) and employment (F).
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Augusta can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Augusta is real estate affordability. The median home price for Augusta homes is $115,300, which is 24.3% 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 2.6, which is 13.3% lower than the Georgia average.
| 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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