City Comparison
Augusta vs Valdosta
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Augusta scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Augusta
Valdosta
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Valdosta is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Augusta.
Housing costs are a major driver: Augusta's average rent is
17% higher than Valdosta's.
| Metric | Augusta | Valdosta | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,150 | +17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $160 | +9% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,235 | $2,020 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Augusta offers 15% 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 $45,000 in Valdosta.
| Metric | Augusta | Valdosta |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,217 idx | 59,091 idx |
| Household Income | $55,485 | $46,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Valdosta sees 0.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Augusta | Valdosta |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.90°F | 68.70°F |
| Summer High | 89.90°F | 91.10°F |
| Winter Low | 38.40°F | 42.70°F |
| Rainfall | 37.30 in | 38.50 in |
| Snowfall | 3.30 in | 3.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 253 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Valdosta has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Augusta.
Augusta scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Augusta leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Augusta | Valdosta |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Augusta is the larger city
— approximately 3.7x the population of Valdosta.
From a growth perspective, Augusta 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 | Valdosta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,559 | 55,378 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 29.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.50% |
| 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.
Valdosta
Advantages
Median home prices in Valdosta are significantly lower than the national average per recent housing market data.
Valdosta State University provides robust educational and cultural amenities to the local community.
The city enjoys an abundance of sunny days with an average of 253 sunny days per year.
Strategic location along Interstate 75 offers convenient travel access to major hubs in Georgia and Florida.
Low overall cost of living index makes it an attractive destination for budget-conscious families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Summer temperatures and humidity levels can be quite intense during peak months.
Public transit infrastructure is limited, making car ownership a near-necessity.
Property crime rates in certain urban pockets are higher than the national median.
Average local salaries lag behind national benchmarks in several key service sectors.
Vulnerability to severe weather events, including tropical storms moving inland from the Gulf.
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
Valdosta
#442Georgia, USA
56.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
68.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
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