Skyline of Augusta
Cost of Living: 90.5 202,081

Augusta, GA, US

Home of the Masters with cheap housing, the Savannah River, and Southern charm.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 90.5

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 78.5

Affordable

Median Income $44,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.8%

Job market health

Augusta vs US Average

Cost of Living
Augusta: 90.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Augusta: 78.5
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Augusta: 5.75%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.8%
  • Sales Tax: 8.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $44,000
  • Unemployment: 3.8%
  • Population: 202,081

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 218/year
  • Summer High: 92°F
  • Winter Low: 34°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $165,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1050/mo

Cost of Living

Augusta's cost of living index is 90.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryAugustaNational AverageDifference
Overall90.5100-9.5%
Housing78.5100-21.5%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$165,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1050/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,313/mo
Price per Sq Ft$110

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Augusta:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$115Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$60Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$16Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$50Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$60Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$326Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Augusta scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
90.5
Rent
$1050
Sunny Days
218
Tax
5.75%
Unemployment
3.8%
Climate
92°F / 34°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
202,081
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Augusta has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January54°F34°F2.5"
April77°F49°F2.8"
July92°F67°F1.5"
October72°F52°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Augusta faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Flood High Risk

Savannah River flooding.

Hurricane High Risk

Coastal areas affected by hurricanes.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.75%
  • Sales Tax: 8%
  • Property Tax: ~1.03% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.8%.

Schools & Education

24/100
School Quality Score
Better than 9% of US cities
?
39
Total Schools
13.9:1
Student:Teacher
100.0%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

3
Universities
#760
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University Augusta University

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Augusta, GA, US?

The cost of living index in Augusta is 90.5, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Augusta?

The median home price in Augusta is $165,000. The housing index is 78.5.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Augusta is approximately $1050/mo.

Does Augusta, GA have income tax?

Augusta is in GA, which has an income tax rate of 5.75%.

What is the climate like in Augusta?

Augusta enjoys approximately 218 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 92°F, while winter lows can drop to around 34°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.