Living in Augusta, GA
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

• 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live
• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Augusta, GA? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Augusta, GA

Augusta, GA, is well known as the home of the Masters Tournament, and for many, those iconic azaleas and gorgeous green fairways on TV are their first introduction to this sweet, Southern city. The golf here is truly world-class, and those moving to Augusta can enjoy year-round access to both private and public courses, thanks to Georgia’s mild climate.

But this city, as new residents quickly discover, has much more to offer than just golf. Did you know the region is a top destination for disc golf enthusiasts? Or that Augusta sits along the scenic Savannah River, where locals can visit the Savannah Rapids Park to picnic, bring their kids to the playground or rent kayaks? These outdoor activities and the city’s beautiful natural surroundings earned Georgia a high ranking in our environment category.

Living in Augusta also comes with additional perks. Median housing costs are as much as 50% lower than the national average, making east-central Georgia an attractive option for first-time homebuyers. 

Augusta University, Georgia’s health sciences university, has a strong presence in the community with continuing education programs, health fairs, and seminars that engage locals. The city’s economy is further bolstered by institutions like the United States Army Cyber Command and the Georgia Cyber Innovation & Training Center, and the region has emerged as a hotbed for tech- and cyber-related companies.

With a population of just over 203,000, Augusta is Georgia’s second-largest city. Its central location along I-20, between Atlanta and Columbia, SC, makes it a convenient spot, with Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte and Savannah all just a couple of hours’ drive away. Getting around the city is easy with the city’s nine fixed public transit routes serving Richmond County. Exciting developments are on the horizon in Augusta, too, like a forthcoming arena slated for completion in 2027.

Thinking of Moving to Augusta, GA? Here’s Everything You Need to Know.

Top Reasons to Move to Augusta

• Augusta is family-friendly, featuring highly rated schools, more than 60 public parks, and a downtown arts scene.
• From the scenic Riverwalk along the Savannah River to the home of the Masters, recreation in Augusta is a natural fit.
• Augusta is affordable, with a cost of living below the national average and housing prices lower than those in nearby cities.
• There are plenty of economic opportunities in Augusta, and healthcare and education are at the heart of the city.

Augusta is a historic city in east-central Georgia, about 150 miles east of Atlanta, accessible via Interstate 20. Augusta Regional Airport is just south, offering flights to Atlanta and Charlotte. Nearby major cities include:

• Atlanta, GA, is just 150 miles west, where you can dive into the Georgia Aquarium, sip at the World of Coca-Cola or cheer on the Braves at Truist Park.
• Savannah, GA, sits 130 miles southeast, boasting the Savannah Historic District, Forsyth Park and Savannah College of Art and Design.
• Columbia, SC, is 75 miles north, a doable day-trip drive to visit Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, the South Carolina State Museum and Congaree National Park.

The area has a humid subtropical climate, which means you’ll experience hot, muggy summers with temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s and short, mild and sunny winters, with temperatures rarely dipping below 50°F. It’s wet and partly cloudy year-round, with about 50 inches of rain annually and a fair amount of thunderstorms in the summer.

Augusta’s economy is robust and much, much more than the tourism that rolls through town every spring (though that tourism does bolster the economy!). The city has a strong economic foundation, with health care, manufacturing and government as the leading industries. Some of the leading employers in the area are Augusta University Medical Center, Fort Eisenhower and Savannah River Site. Fitting to its golfing reputation, Textron Specialized Vehicles and Club Car, both manufacturers of golf carts and other utility vehicles, have a heavy presence here.

The cost of living in Augusta is below the national average. The median home value in Augusta is $217,494, and the average household income is $55,897.

Georgia has a state income tax. In 2026, Augusta residents can expect a combined sales tax rate of 8.5%.

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Augusta may be most famous for its golf course and annual tournament, but many locals often refer to their hometown as the “Garden City of the South.” This is primarily due to the innumerable private and public gardens, all of which bloom in spring and provide residents with an overwhelming abundance of natural beauty throughout the warmer months. Residents and visitors seeking a public garden space often flock to Pendleton King Park, a 64-acre sanctuary known for its various gardens, sculptures and flowers.

Start your day off right at one of the great coffee shops along the Augusta Coffee Trail. For new residents, the Augusta Museum of History offers a fantastic introduction to the city. Explore the exhibits that dive into Augusta’s past, celebrate its iconic golf legacy and share the story of James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul,” who grew up in this Georgia city. Museum lovers can also purchase a membership to the Morris Museum of Art, which showcases art and artists of the American South. 

Staying active is easy here. Take a stroll (or a jog) along the Augusta Riverwalk that runs alongside the Savannah River, or join in on the pickleball craze at Dink’d Pickleball, which has indoor courts and serves burgers and pizza to pickleball players. Catch an Augusta GreenJackets game, a minor league baseball team, for something sporty. When it’s time to shop for home furnishings or a new outfit, head to the Surrey Center, a destination for stylish shops. Did you know that Augusta is the hometown of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul? At the Augusta Museum of History, the James Brown Exhibit features rare memorabilia and personal artifacts that give you a glimpse into his life via costumes, interviews, records, images and audio-visual stations that highlight concert performances, albums, studio recordings and more. Downtown, there’s a life-size bronze statue of the superstar that contains the world’s only James Brown Cam, which will take your photo and send it to your cell phone within minutes.

More than 60 parks and 1,500 acres of parkland are in Augusta, making outdoor adventures plentiful. The community is synonymous with golf, and locals can hit the links at beloved public courses like Forest Hill Golf Club, designed nearly a century ago by famed golf course architect Donald Ross. For those looking to explore nature, the Phinizy Center and Nature Park offer walking and biking trails that wind through scenic wetlands. Or rent a kayak and paddle along the Savannah River. For a fun group activity, gather friends or neighbors to play disc golf at Pendleton King Park, home to an 18-hole disc golf course. To get the adrenaline pumping, the nearby Forks Area Trail System is a destination for mountain bikers. Other highlights include the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area and Augusta Common Park, which hosts concerts.

You’ll find no shortage of delectable Southern comfort food in Georgia, but the culinary scene is quite diverse. With a love for local, the restaurant scene ranges from a beloved hole-in-the-wall shop called Knuckle Sandwiches (try the PBR-B-Q pulled pork sammy with peach black pepper barbecue sauce) to the date-night Frog Hollow Tavern. Of course, save room for dessert: Locals love The Boll Weevil for its decadent cakes and pies. Sip spritzes and savor Italian dishes at Craft and Vine. The Treehouse is an organic, fresh-pressed juice joint with an art gallery for a healthy option.

Richmond County Schools, which serves nearly 30,000 students across 52 schools, is one of the largest districts in Georgia. There are three dozen private school options available to residents. One of them is Augusta Preparatory Day School, an independent college-prep school that consistently ranks among the top 10 private schools in the state.