City Comparison
Augusta vs South Fulton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
South Fulton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Augusta
South Fulton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Augusta is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in South Fulton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Augusta's average rent is
13% lower than South Fulton's.
| Metric | Augusta | South Fulton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,550 | -13% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,235 | $2,515 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Augusta offers 3% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Augusta delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Augusta is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in South Fulton.
| Metric | Augusta | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,217 idx | 60,417 idx |
| Household Income | $55,485 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.9°F of each other.
For sunshine, Augusta comes out ahead with 25 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Augusta sees 1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Augusta | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.90°F | 63.00°F |
| Summer High | 89.90°F | 86.70°F |
| Winter Low | 38.40°F | 35.30°F |
| Rainfall | 37.30 in | 47.60 in |
| Snowfall | 3.30 in | 2.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 235 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Augusta has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to South Fulton.
For walkability, Augusta leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Augusta | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Augusta is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of South Fulton.
From a growth perspective, South Fulton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Augusta has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Augusta | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,559 | 107,436 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Augusta
Advantages
Average monthly rent sits near $1,350, offering high affordability compared to the national average per Zillow data.
Robust employment anchors in healthcare and military technology, including Fort Eisenhower and Augusta University.
Rich recreational lifestyle highlighted by the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area and premier year-round golfing.
Short average commute times of approximately 21 to 24 minutes reduce daily travel strain.
Lower overall cost of living indices that run notably below the U.S. average per federal economic data.
Drawbacks
Poverty rates in certain urban core districts remain higher than national averages per Census figures.
High summer temperatures and humidity levels can make outdoor activities uncomfortable during peak months.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting.
Local educational attainment metrics show lower percentages of bachelor's degrees than national benchmarks.
Property crime rates in specific pockets of the inner city require residents to maintain heightened awareness.
South Fulton
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain more affordable than in northern Atlanta suburbs per Zillow (2024)
Strategic proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport drives strong logistics and employment opportunities
Abundant suburban space and large residential lots offer room for families to grow
Rapidly developing commercial corridors bring new dining, retail, and entertainment options locally
Active community engagement and municipal leadership focused on sustainable local growth
Drawbacks
High car dependency and limited public transit options outside of major bus corridors
Commuting during peak hours along major arteries like I-85 and South Fulton Parkway can experience significant congestion
Property crime rates in certain commercial and residential pockets exceed national averages per FBI crime data
Walkability scores are generally low, requiring driving for most daily errands
Rapid development puts pressure on local infrastructure and traffic management
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Augusta
#399Georgia, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$60,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
65.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
73
Business
68
South Fulton
#360Georgia, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
235/yr
Avg Temp
63.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
72
Business
68
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