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Augusta, Georgia Retirement Guide
Retirement Score
Augusta, Georgia at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $145,400
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; retirement income exclusion up to $65k.
- Avg January Low
- 15.2°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 95.7 (US avg = 100)
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 50 / 100
Overview
"Augusta, Georgia is a riverfront retirement city best known for the Masters Tournament, with median home prices around $220,000 and a cost of living roughly 11% below the national average. Georgia exempts Social Security and offers up to $65,000 in retirement-income exclusion per person 65+. Augusta University Medical Center provides academic-quality healthcare. The metro is known for golf, mild winters, and one of the most generous retirement-income tax exclusions in the United States."
Augusta sits on the Savannah River on Georgia's eastern border, across from Aiken County, South Carolina. The city is internationally known for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, and the local culture and economy reflect that golf identity year-round. The senior population is around 14% age 65+, with stronger retiree concentrations in West Augusta, Evans, Martinez, and across the river in Aiken.
The financial picture is among the most favorable on the East Coast. Georgia's retirement tax treatment — Social Security fully exempt, up to $65,000 per person retirement-income exclusion at age 65+, plus partial exclusion at 62–64 — combined with property tax rates around 0.95% and median home prices around $220,000, produces some of the strongest after-tax retirement math in the Southeast.
Healthcare is anchored by Augusta University Medical Center, the academic medical center for the Medical College of Georgia, with comprehensive cancer (NCI-designated Georgia Cancer Center), cardiac, neurosurgical, and transplant programs. Specialist depth is exceptional for a metro of Augusta's size. Medicare Advantage plan availability is solid.
The climate is humid subtropical — January low ~37°F, July high ~92°F, with summer humidity. Augusta is best for retirees who want a moderately-sized Southern city with strong healthcare, the Georgia retirement-income tax advantage, and golf-centric culture, at a meaningfully lower price point than Charleston or Atlanta.
Cost of Living
Affordability Metrics
Augusta's cost of living is 4.299999999999997% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.
Housing
Real Estate & Housing
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Augusta using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$315
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$354
Median home price used: $145,400
Median rent reference: $986 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.
Budget validation
Calculate if your savings last in this city
Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Augusta, Georgia after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.
Open the RetireFree Calculator →Healthcare
Access & Quality
Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Augusta scores 29.2 out of 100 for healthcare access.
Care planning link
Find local assisted living in Augusta
If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.
Assisted living in Augusta →Taxes
State Tax Climate
Georgia has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.
Climate
Weather & Environment
With 262 sunny days a year and an average January low of 15.2°F, Augusta offers a traditional winter climate.
Safety & Walkability
Community Safety
Walkability
Demographics
Population Profile
Diversity Breakdown
Frequently asked questions about retiring in Augusta
Is Augusta, Georgia a good place to retire in 2026?▾
Augusta, Georgia is a riverfront retirement city best known for the Masters Tournament, with median home prices around $220,000 and a cost of living roughly 11% below the national average. Georgia exempts Social Security and offers up to $65,000 in retirement-income exclusion per person 65+. Augusta University Medical Center provides academic-quality healthcare. The metro is known for golf, mild winters, and one of the most generous retirement-income tax exclusions in the United States.
What is the cost of living in Augusta, Georgia for retirees?▾
The cost-of-living index is 96, roughly 4% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $145,400.
Does Georgia tax Social Security or retirement income?▾
For Georgia residents: State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; retirement income exclusion up to $65k.
What is the climate like in Augusta, Georgia?▾
Augusta, Georgia has January average low around 15°F, July average high around 82°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.
What is healthcare access like in Augusta, Georgia?▾
Augusta scores 29/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).
How much does it cost to retire in Augusta, Georgia?▾
For a retired couple in a paid-off home, total monthly costs in Augusta run roughly $3,350 based on the cost-of-living index of 96. This includes property taxes, utilities, healthcare premiums, groceries, transportation, and discretionary spending. Renters add roughly $1,200–$1,800/month for a 2-bedroom.
Local Professionals
Financial Advisors
AP WEALTH MANAGEMENT
AP WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC
WYNN CAPITAL
WYNN CAPITAL LLC
ASSET ADVISORS
ASSET ADVISORS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
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