Two hours and some change east of Atlanta, Augusta is the last Georgian city you see before crossing the border into South Carolina.
It may have a small-town feel, but not only is it the biggest city by area, but it’s also the second most populated city in Georgia.
Augusta has come a long way since it took after Georgia and was named after a royal.
Actually, even further back than that, the area was used by Native Americans as the crossing-over point to the Savannah River.
By 1735, the founder of Savannah sent a group to explore the river.
Noble Jones led the pack and established the first settlement in what is now known as Augusta.
Following Savannah, Augusta was the capital of Georgia for a time during the late 1700s.
So, what’s it like for the 200,000 people who call the city home?
Come along with us as we discuss the pros and cons of living in Augusta.
Contents
Pros of Living in Augusta, GA
1. Cost of Living
Living in Augusta is cheaper than the national average and is more affordable than most other Georgia cities.
Utilities, services, and even groceries come in a range that keeps citizens from having to break the bank to live.
Included in that are housing prices.
Augusta is one of the most budget-friendly places in the state to buy a home and still have city amenities.
A majority of residents are homeowners, which is possible due to reasonable prices.
2. Inviting Downtown
Augusta may not be lined with skyscrapers like other big cities, but it’s still a major player as far as real estate goes.
In fact, it may be more endearing that it doesn’t have a skyline like that.
Instead, Augusta’s downtown area is quaint and has a slew of shops and entertainment.
Let’s not forget the choice of restaurants.
There’s such a variety of options that any foodie would be proud to call Augusta home.
3. Traffic
Another benefit of not being a massively, overpopulated city is traffic.
Or lack thereof.
One thing that everyone can agree to not complain about is traffic.
Augusta is spread out enough that there’s not a big concentration of jobs in one specific place.
That means there aren’t intense traffic jams for people rushing home.
If that’s not a huge perk of living here, what is?
4. Golf
If you’re a golf fan, the Masters Golf Tournament is something you’ll be familiar with.
If not, the tournament is one of four men’s championships.
It’s the first major tournament each year, taking place the first week in April.
That’s great for businesses in town, as golf enthusiasts come from far and wide to watch the tournament.
Tournament week isn’t so great for locals in regard to the influx of people, but it’s still exciting.
5. Day Trips
Augusta is cool, but sometimes you just want to get out of town.
One fun aspect of living in Augusta is its proximity to other places.
Want to hit up the state capital?
It’s just a couple of hours west.
How about the beach?
Savannah is two and a half hours south.
Charleston is less than three.
Want to see a different state capital?
Columbia is only an hour and a change away.
6. Higher Education
When it comes to post-high school, Augusta has plenty of choices on the next steps.
There are more than 10 colleges in the surrounding area.
That includes six four-year schools.
These are reputable schools, even the two-year community colleges.
If a student is from Georgia, they’ll pay much less in tuition, too.
7. Things to Do
One thing Augusta is definitely not lacking is entertainment.
Everyone loves the Riverwalk.
There’s even a history lesson in a walk by the water, a timeline through markers takes you back through the city’s story.
For some indoor fun, there are a multitude of museums.
Some of the more popular selections are Pexcho’s American Dime Museum, Morris Museum of Art, Augusta Museum of History, and Meadow Garden.
That’s not to mention the walking tours, scavenger hunts, and sports going on throughout the year.
8. Weather
While it may be tough to get used to if you’re not from the south, Augusta’s weather is quite mild.
The summer might be the most difficult to get used to, as it can get humid.
The temperatures don’t really get above 100, which can be a treat if visiting from Texas.
Winters are pretty chill, maybe getting one good snow a year.
Maybe.
There’s never really a ton of rain either.
Which you might not appreciate as much if gardening is your thing.
Cons of Living in Augusta, GA
1. Invasive Insects
While the summer heat may not destroy your happiness, the bugs might.
Mosquitos are the worst, but there are others that seem to only exist here in Augusta.
When you’re already sweaty, the last thing you want to do is slap your arm because of a bug.
It’s such a pain that it’s one of the first things neighbors talk about.
The bugs are everywhere.
2. Poverty Rate
Unfortunately, there’s a heavy percentage of folks living under the poverty line in Augusta.
22% of citizens fall under that line.
That’s 73% higher than the national average.
Those kinds of numbers take a toll on the city and resources.
More importantly, it really hurts the people who are struggling.
There seem to either be not enough jobs or not enough skilled workers to take better jobs.
3. Crime Rate
There are 32 crimes for every 1,000 residents in Augusta annually.
This makes for one of the highest crime rates in the US, for cities of comparable size.
You have a 1 in 32 chance of being a victim of a crime here.
4. Pollen
If you’ve never been to Georgia during pollen season, you’re in for a yellow ride.
Imagine going to work in a white car.
Several hours later, you’ll leave in a yellow one.
The pollen is so thick it’s like a yellow blanket engulfing the land.
Not only is it a pain to deal with, it wreaks havoc on allergies.
5. No Nightlife
It would seem like Augusta would have stuff going on at night.
There are plenty of college students around who probably thought the same thing.
Unfortunately, as eventful as the downtown is during the day, it’s pretty dead at night.
Luckily, you’re never too far from a more populated town with a party vibe for a road trip.
6. Public Education
It’s interesting that there are so many higher education institutes nearby because the public education sucks.
There are no standout schools and no national award winners.
It’s sort of bleak, sadly.
Not a whole lot seems to be going on to improve it, either.
7. Public Transportation
To start, there is public transportation.
It’s just too limited.
For as big as Augusta is and how far out it sprawls, there should be a better system.
8. Evacuating Population
Is it the poor public schools, lack of transit, or the overwhelming pollen that is driving people out?
It’s hard to say for sure, but the numbers don’t lie.
For whatever reason, people are leaving Augusta.
Locals don’t necessarily mind a little stretching room but if the trend continues, it could present issues for the city.
Pros and Cons of Living in Augusta, GA – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Augusta, GA | Cons of Living in Augusta, GA |
|---|---|
| 1. Cost of Living | 1. Invasive Insects |
| 2. Inviting Downtown | 2. Poverty Rate |
| 3. Traffic | 3. Crime Rate |
| 4. Golf | 4. Pollen |
| 5. Day Trips | 5. No Nightlife |
| 6. Higher Education | 6. Public Education |
| 7. Things to Do | 7. Public Transportation |
| 8. Weather | 8. Evacuating Population |
Augusta Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Augusta Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best area to move to in Augusta?
Augusta is over 300 square miles.
That makes it the biggest city by area in Georgia, even twice the size of Atlanta.
With that much space, there are obviously going to be some areas that are better than others.
So, for those who are new to this border town, what are the best neighborhoods to get started in?
Well, it first depends on what kind of area you prefer.
Downtown is where all the happening events are and is the busiest.
However, it’s convenient if the reason you’re moving there is for a job on the strip.
Want something more green?
Country Club Hills is what it sounds like.
A few others worth checking into are West Side Augusta, Montclair, and National Hills.
Are there more homeowners or renters in Augusta?
When it comes to housing, there are lots of options.
A majority of those who call Augusta home own their dwelling.
That still leaves over 30% who are renters.
There are so many homeowners here thanks to affordable pricing.
It also helps that the market is healthy and people are moving around the city often enough that it’s highly likely that those who want to find a house will.
As for renters, the cost of an apartment or house is low enough that most can still save for a home.
Augusta is one of the more housing-affordable bigger cities in Georgia.
Are there any celebrities from Augusta?
Quite a few, actually.
Perhaps the most notable is famed singer James Brown, who has a whole museum in his honor as well as an arena.
Well, to be fair, a former president grew up in Augusta.
Woodrow Wilson, our 28th president, was born in Virginia but spent his childhood in this Georgia city.
Actor Laurence Fishburne was born here as was wrestler Hulk Hogan.
There are also a slew of athletes that came from Augusta, such as Jimmie Johnson, Todd Greene, and the creator of the Masters Tournament Bobby Jones.
Do you have to own a car to live in Augusta?
You don’t have to, especially with today’s ride-share options, but it would definitely make life easier.
Augusta is a proper city, which makes it nearly impossible to do errands and live life normally without assistance getting around.
81% of citizens get around with a car of their own.
Only 2% of locals take public transportation.
That says a lot about needing a car as much as it does about how ineffective the public system is.
Not ineffective completely, just not as widespread as it needs to be to meet the expectations of those who would use it.
What are the major industries in Augusta?
With the population as high as it is, the job opportunities are quite diverse.
The top industry is medicine.
Augusta has top hospitals and plenty of excellent healthcare available to citizens.
So, there is always a need to fill positions such as doctor, nurse, and pharmacist.
Education is another popping field that is hiring.
You’d be more proud of getting a job at a local college than a public school, however.
Even though, K-12 schools are always hoping to attract new talent.
The military has a presence in Augusta at Fort Gordon.
As you are probably aware, the military is always welcoming new recruits.
If you’re looking for work, you can always try your hand at hospitality, government, and construction.
Augusta’s healthcare facilities, like the renowned Augusta University Medical Center, provide excellent care. However, traffic congestion during events like the Masters Tournament can be a major drawback for commuters.
Living in Augusta offers a slower pace of life compared to larger cities, which many find refreshing.