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Cost of living in Augusta, GA

Livability score 72 · cost-of-living index 91.2 (US = 100)

Augusta, GA
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · CC0

How Augusta compares

Where Augusta falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 91 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 91 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $254k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $254k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $124 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $124 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 7.4% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 7.4% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 0.68% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 0.68% Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 370 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 370 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 15.4 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 15.4 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 89° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 89° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 34° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 34°

Map of Augusta

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Cost of living

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)91.2metro-area#44 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)96.2metro-area#75 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)$5.19metro-area#40 of 200
Median household income$62,941metro-area#154 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)$36,286metro-area#157 of 200

Who lives here

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median age38.2 yearsmetro-area#90 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)28.8%metro-area#148 of 200
Foreign-born residents4.4%metro-area#173 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied68.3%metro-area#71 of 200

Economy

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Unemployment rate6.45%metro-area#171 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)+4.0%metro-area#98 of 200

Housing — what your money buys

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median home price$253,524metro-area#46 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)4.0×metro-area#54 of 200
1-yr home appreciation+2.8%metro-area#59 of 200
Price per square foot$124metro-area#33 of 200
Typical home size (implied)2,050 sqft
Median rent (monthly)$1,479metro-area#72 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)2,740
Median days on market25metro-area#140 of 200

Taxes

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)8.9%state#27 of 200
Combined sales tax7.38%state#99 of 200
State income tax (top rate)5.19%
Capital gains tax5.39%state#125 of 200
High earnersNo special surtax
Social Security in retirementNot taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate0.68%metro-area#47 of 200
Median property tax paid$1,263metro-area#23 of 200

Health & childcare

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Life expectancy at birth74.1 yearsmetro-area#169 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)$6,400state#32 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)11.5%metro-area#143 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k71metro-area#120 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)$9,500state#37 of 200

Vehicles & commute

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Annual registration$40state#4 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)Nonestate#1 of 200
Emissions testingRequired
Emissions detailRequired in 13 metro Atlanta counties
DMV & license offices6
Avg commute to work24 minmetro-area#97 of 200
Commute by driving alone79.7%metro-area#175 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min32.7%metro-area#117 of 200

Utilities & fuel

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Electricity15.4¢/kWhstate#41 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill$138state#41 of 200
Gasoline$3.15/galstate#57 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)$74state#133 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)$123state#138 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)$88state#190 of 200

Insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Home insurance (annual)$2,100state#124 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)$1,900state#86 of 200

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Main natural hazardsNotable hazards: hurricanes, tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)75.8 — Relatively Lowmetro-area#14 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)$700state#61 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)$100state#1 of 200

Climate & air quality

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)52metro-area#151 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)1,800metro-area#134 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)95%state#27 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)2,800metro-area#76 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F62metro-area#141 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F2metro-area#144 of 200
Avg summer high (state)89°Fmetro-area#113 of 200
Avg winter low34°Fmetro-area#76 of 200
Annual precipitation50.4"metro-area#158 of 200
Annual snowfall2.2"metro-area#72 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)60%metro-area#85 of 200
Plant hardiness zone8a
Frost window03-10 → 11-20

Safety

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)370state#65 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)2,000state#83 of 200

Local amenities & recreation

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Grocery stores20metro-area#169 of 200
Parks13
Hiking areas2
Golf courses8
Shooting ranges2
Lakes1

Permits

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)2state#1 of 200
Permit detailGenerally easy

US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.

Top employers in Augusta

Major public and private employers in the Augusta, GA area.

EmployerSectorJobs
Augusta University Health Healthcare Careers →
Fort Gordon Government Search →
Club Car Manufacturing Search →
Doctors Hospital of Augusta Healthcare Search →
Georgia Cyber Security Center Government Search →

Salaries by occupation in Augusta

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

OccupationMedian pay
Dentists $159,460
Pharmacists $128,120
Marketing Managers $120,150
Human Resources Managers $119,390
Software Developers $114,990
Physician Assistants $112,760
Financial Managers $112,080
Mechanical Engineers $101,730
Civil Engineers $100,640
Lawyers $99,820
Construction Managers $97,780
Physical Therapists $97,470
General & Operations Managers $87,420
Registered Nurses $80,470
Data Scientists $78,530
Dental Hygienists $75,890
Accountants & Auditors $67,850
Electricians $65,650
Elementary School Teachers $60,750
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $52,440
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $50,750
Graphic Designers $50,670
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $50,130
Welders, Cutters & Solderers $47,360
Carpenters $47,340
Real Estate Sales Agents $43,780
Medical Assistants $36,290

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