Living in Augusta, GA

Augusta is the 126th-largest city in the US, home to about 202,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (91.9 on an index where the US is 100).

Population, 2025

201,999+0% since 2020

Median home value

$178,4003.2 years of median income

Median rent

$1,142/morent plus utilities

Household income

$55,485median, per year

Price level

91.9US average = 100

January / July highs

60° / 94°lows 35° / 72°

Average commute

21 min9% work from home

State income tax

5.19%top rate, flat

Cost of living in Augusta

The median home in Augusta is worth $178,400 and the median household earns $55,485 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.2 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,142 a month, about 25% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area at 91.9, with housing at 70.6 and goods at 96.3 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $68,900 here. Georgia taxes wages at a top rate of 5.19% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Georgia is 7.56%.

All items91.9

Housing70.6

Goods96.3

Utilities89.5

Other services98.5

What would my salary be worth in Augusta?

Augusta weather

Average highs run from 60°F in January to 94°F in July, and January nights average 35°F. It gets 44 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 86 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are March to May and October to November.

Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Augusta

People and work

The median resident is 35.2 years old, and 25% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 51% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 21 minutes; 9% of workers work from home.

Median age

35.2196th youngest of 546

Bachelor's or higher

25%adults 25+

Homeowners

51%of households

People per sq mile

668302.3 sq mi of land

Take transit to work

1%3% walk, 0.1% bike

Unemployment

8.6%2020-2024 average

Poverty rate

20.1%of residents

Typical home built

1980median year

Who moves to Augusta, and where people go

From farther away, newcomers most often come from Atlanta (Fulton County), DeKalb County, GA and Fort Lauderdale (Broward County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Atlanta (Fulton County), DeKalb County, GA and Gwinnett County, GA. See the map and full lists

IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.

Natural hazards, home prices and air quality

FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Parks and sights near Augusta

The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.

• Augusta University 7 miles
  BeenWant to go
• University of South Carolina Aiken 22 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Augusta Botanical Gardens Botanical garden 8 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Mistletoe State Park State park 23 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Hamilton Branch State Park State park 25 miles
  BeenWant to go

Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.

Airports near Augusta

Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.

Colleges in and near Augusta

US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.

Frost dates and fall color in Augusta

Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 23, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 1 and the first frost comes around November 9.

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Augusta Bush Field Airport, GA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Augusta.

Wildfire smoke in Augusta

From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Augusta on about 138 days a year, including about 16 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.

NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.

Home internet in Augusta

Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 75,222 households. Compare every city.

Public schools in Augusta

Downtown Augusta is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.

Other districts within 10 miles: Columbia County School District (28,566 students), Aiken County School District (22,916 students), Burke County School District (3,841 students), Edgefield County School District (3,069 students).

National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.

Augusta's twin cities

Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Augusta's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).

• Montgomery, AL85% matchCompare
• Longview, TX82% matchCompare
• Abilene, TX81% matchCompare
• Killeen, TX80% matchCompare

Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler

Stargazing near Augusta

The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:

• Stephen C. Foster State Park International Dark Sky Park 180 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Obed Wild and Scenic River International Dark Sky Park 237 miles
  BeenWant to go

Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.

+ Follow AugustaGet a short email when locals add answers, picks or photos here. Sign in to follow.

Pros and cons of living in Augusta

Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.

Pros

• Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.2 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
• Data Everyday prices in the metro run 8% below the US average (BEA).

Add a pro

Post

Cons

• Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what should newcomers know?

Add a con

Post

Augusta report card from locals

0 of 5 reports so far. We show the Augusta report card once 5 residents have rated it, so one opinion never stands in for a whole city. Live here? Add yours.

Rate Augusta (2 minutes)

1 is poor, 5 is excellent. Skip anything you do not have an opinion on.

Would recommend it

12345

Value for money (optional)

12345

Job market (optional)

12345

Getting around (optional)

12345

Feeling safe (optional)

12345

Friendly people (optional)

12345

Things to do (optional)

12345

Weather (optional)

12345

How long have you lived in Augusta?ChooseUnder a year1 to 3 years3 to 10 yearsMore than 10 yearsI used to live thereYour ZIP code (optional, not shown)

What do you wish you had known before moving here? (optional) What do you love most? (optional)

Your first name (shown)Email (never shown, used to confirm it is you)

Send my report card

Lived here once? Map every city you have lived in and see how your homes compare.

Ask a local about Augusta

No questions yet. Thinking about a move? Ask about neighborhoods, schools, winters, traffic or anything else, and people who live in Augusta can answer.

Ask Augusta locals a question

Ask

Augusta through locals' eyes

No resident photos yet. Share the view from your street, your favorite park or the city on a good day.

Share a photo

Photo (JPEG or PNG, up to 12 MB) Caption I took this photo and I am happy for Cities Online to show it with my first name.

Your first name (shown)Email (never shown, used to confirm it is you)

Send for review

Contributions are read by a person before they appear. We remove ads, links, personal attacks and anything about private people. See the most helpful locals.

Cities near Augusta

Straight-line distance between city centers.

Cities with a similar profile

Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.

Compare Augusta with another city

Augusta vsCompare

Frequently asked questions

Is Augusta a good place to live?

It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, short commutes. Compare Augusta side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.

What is the population of Augusta?

The Census Bureau estimates Augusta had 201,999 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 202,071 in April 2020 (+-0%).

How much do you need to earn to live in Augusta?

Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $68,900 in the Augusta area. The median household here earns $55,485.

When is the best time to visit Augusta?

By the 1991-2020 climate normals, March to May and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 94°F and January 60°F for daytime highs.

What county is Augusta in?

Augusta is in Richmond County, Georgia. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.

What time zone is Augusta in?

Augusta is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).

What is the elevation of Augusta?

About 141 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.

Does Georgia have a state income tax?

Yes. Georgia has a flat income tax with a top rate of 5.19% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.

Sources

Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Augusta. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Augusta Bush Field Airport, GA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.