Population: 197,182
Cost of living: 89.3 (national median: 100)
Median home price: $122,000 (national median: $185,000)
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Healthy highlight: State-of-the-art health care through the Augusta University Medical Center
While most sports enthusiasts associate Augusta with the storied Masters tournament, there’s much more to this city than golf. The towpath along the Augusta Canal, built in 1845, is popular with runners, walkers and bikers, and adjacent trails provide plenty of opportunities to commune with nature. Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, minutes from downtown Augusta, also offers 14 miles of hiking trails.
12 Great Places to Retire for Your Good Health
- Naples, Fla.
- Lynchburg, Va.
- Billings, Mont.
- Greensboro, N.C.
- Omaha, Neb.
- Nashville, Tenn.
- Columbus, Ohio
- Seattle
- Austin, Tex.
- Philadelphia
- St. Petersburg, Fla.
- Augusta, Ga.
You’ll find plenty of ways to keep your mind active, too. Residents who are 62 or older can take classes in everything from art history to computer programming free at Augusta University on a space-available basis. Richard Crim, 67, says the educational offerings for retirees was one of several pleasant surprises he discovered after retiring to Augusta last year.
Recognized by AARP as an age-friendly city, Augusta is revitalizing its downtown area to add housing, public transportation and sidewalks, making it more attractive to seniors and empty nesters, says Mayor Hardie Davis. The Miller Theater, a 1940s-era movie palace downtown that was once one of the largest theaters in Georgia, is being renovated to serve as the future home of the Symphony Orchestra Augusta. The grand opening is scheduled for fall 2017.
Augusta is home to Augusta University Health, a health care network that includes the 478-bed Augusta University Medical Center. The network offers a long list of specialists, including doctors who focus on oncology, geriatrics and senior health.
Retirees looking to buy a home in the area may want to check out Forest Hills, an upscale enclave of historic homes near the Forest Hills Golf Club. Home prices in the neighborhood range from about $250,000 to more than $700,000. During the Masters, many locals earn extra income by renting their homes to visitors for $600 to more than $1,000 per night.
Georgia provides generous tax breaks for its older residents. Social Security is exempt from state taxes, along with up to $35,000 of most retirement income for those between the ages of 62 and 64. For residents 65 and older, the exemption jumps to $65,000, or up to $130,000 for a couple.
-
Dow Adds 646 Points, Hits New Highs: Stock Market TodayIt was "boom" for the Dow but "bust" for the Nasdaq following a December Fed meeting that was less hawkish than expected.
-
5 Types of Gifts the IRS Won’t Tax: Even If They’re BigGift Tax Several categories of gifts don’t count toward annual gift tax limits. Here's what you need to know.
-
The 'Scrooge' Strategy: How to Turn Your Old Junk Into a Tax DeductionTax Deductions We break down the IRS rules for non-cash charitable contributions. Plus, here's a handy checklist before you donate to charity this year.
-
457 Plan Contribution Limits for 2026Retirement plans There are higher 457 plan contribution limits in 2026. That's good news for state and local government employees.
-
Medicare Basics: 12 Things You Need to KnowMedicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
-
The Seven Worst Assets to Leave Your Kids or Grandkidsinheritance Leaving these assets to your loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. Here's how to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
-
SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2026SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $70,000 in 2025, and up to $72,000 in 2026.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2026Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to save for retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2026 limits and income-based phaseouts.
-
SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits for 2026simple IRA For 2026, the SIMPLE IRA contribution limit rises to $17,000, with a $4,000 catch-up for those 50 and over, totaling $21,000.
-
457 Contribution Limits for 2024retirement plans State and local government workers can contribute more to their 457 plans in 2024 than in 2023.
-
Roth 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2026retirement plans The Roth 401(k) contribution limit for 2026 has increased, and workers who are 50 and older can save even more.
