Jacksonville, FL and Augusta-Richmond County, GA both offer distinctive qualities that make them attractive for relocation or visits. While Jacksonville boasts a coastal tropical climate, southern culture, and robust industries, Augusta's charm lies in its rich history, golf prestige and lower cost of living. Comparisons of essential lifestyle factors such as crime rate, weather, cost of living, education, economy, infrastructure, taxation, culture, sports, geographical conditions and healthcare paint a comprehensive picture of life in these cities.
Distance between
Jacksonville, FL and
Augusta-Richmond County, GA : 216.2 miles
Jacksonville's population is larger by 375%. Its population has grown by 218,997 people (29.8%) since 2000. The population of Augusta-Richmond County has grown by 6,014 people (3.1%) during that time.
Jacksonville's crime rate is higher compared to the national average, largely due to property crimes. However, certain neighborhoods like Avondale and San Marco are considered safe. On the other hand, Augusta's crime rate is lower in comparison to national average, with violent crimes being less frequent than in Jacksonville.
Cost of Living
Living in Jacksonville is slightly more expensive than in Augusta. This is reflected in housing costs which are higher in Jacksonville. However, the healthcare and utilities costs are relatively comparable in both cities.
Income Tax
Florida, including Jacksonville, does not have state income tax, giving it an advantage over Augusta which is affected by Georgia's state income tax.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Jacksonville are lower than the national average while Augusta’s property taxes are slightly lower than Jacksonville's.
Sales Tax
Florida does not have a state income tax, and Jacksonville enjoys a lower combined sales tax rate (7%) compared to Augusta (8%).
Income
Type
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
Estimated median household income
$58,621
$47,921
Estimated per capita income
$32,953
$27,864
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
88.3
89.2
If you make $50,000 in Jacksonville, you will have to make $50,510 in Augusta-Richmond County to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Jacksonville is coastal with a number of beaches, whereas Augusta sits by the Savannah River and is famed for its green spaces and golf courses.
Both cities have decent educational opportunities. Jacksonville hosts several higher-education institutions including University of North Florida and Jacksonville University. Augusta offers Augusta University, home to Medical College of Georgia, making it a suitable choice for aspiring medical professionals.
Jacksonville boasts a robust economy with a stronger job market, driven by industries such as healthcare, finance, and logistics. Augusta’s economy is bolstered by public sector employment including military, educational, and medical institutions.
Biggest Employers
In Jacksonville, some of the largest employers include Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Mayo Clinic, and Bank of America. Augusta's largest employers include Fort Gordon, the Savannah River Site, and the Medical College of Georgia.
There were 1,310 building permits issued in Jacksonville in 2012 (353 more than in 2011) compared to 776 building permits issued in Augusta-Richmond County in 2012 (776 more than in 2011).
In Jacksonville (Duval County), 47.9% voted for Democrats and 51.5% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Augusta-Richmond County (Richmond County), 66.5% voted for Democrats and 32.7% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
2020
51.3%
67.9%
47.5%
30.8%
1.2%
1.3%
2016
47.2%
64.4%
48.6%
32.3%
4.2%
3.4%
2012
47.9%
66.5%
51.5%
32.7%
0.6%
0.7%
2008
49.0%
65.7%
51.0%
33.9%
0.0%
0.4%
2004
41.7%
56.7%
57.9%
43.0%
0.3%
0.4%
2000
40.9%
54.6%
57.7%
44.3%
1.4%
1.1%
1996
44.2%
54.1%
50.0%
41.6%
5.8%
4.3%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
15.8%
15.8%
22.3%
16.9%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
9.0%
7.9%
2.8%
1.6%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.2%
1.6%
2.3%
2.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
1.0%
0.6%
1.2%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.9%
0.9%
0.8%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.2%
1.4%
0.4%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.1%
0.6%
0.2%
1.2%
INTERNA PENTECO HOLINESS CHURCH
0.1%
0.4%
0.6%
2.0%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
1.2%
0.9%
1.2%
Weather
Jacksonville lies in a humid subtropical climate zone providing hot, humid summers and mild-to-cool winters. It's also susceptible to hurricanes occasionally. Augusta, similarly has a humid subtropical climate, but with less risk of hurricanes.
Weather and climate
Type
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
Temperature - Average
68.3°F
63°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
78.4%
74.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
44%
44%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
92%
90%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
46%
Precipitation - Yearly average
51.8 in
45 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.8%
18.7%
Sunshine amount - Average
69.6%
69%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
16%
14.6%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
69.3%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
58%
54.7%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
6 mph
Average climate in Jacksonville, Florida
Average climate in Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
Jacksonville
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
Augusta-Richmond County
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
2018
78
77
N/A
N/A
24.5
25.4
N/A
N/A
13.1
N/A
7.1
9.9
N/A
0.9
2017
74
76
N/A
N/A
24.7
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.8
8.7
0.7
1.0
2016
65
81
0.50
N/A
24.9
26.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.2
8.9
0.4
1.8
2015
63
70
0.35
N/A
25.4
25.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.9
8.4
0.3
1.6
2014
66
76
0.27
N/A
24.3
26.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.9
10.0
0.7
1.8
2013
68
76
0.18
N/A
23.0
25.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.3
8.8
0.7
1.7
2012
66
89
0.10
N/A
24.0
27.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.8
10.4
0.6
N/A
2011
88
93
0.28
N/A
26.6
30.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.1
11.8
0.8
N/A
2010
77
85
0.31
N/A
26.4
27.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.1
10.9
0.8
N/A
2009
72
79
0.16
N/A
25.0
26.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.5
10.3
0.6
N/A
2008
75
97
0.15
N/A
27.6
27.7
N/A
0.004
N/A
N/A
10.0
12.4
0.9
N/A
2007
92
102
0.29
N/A
28.4
28.3
N/A
0.005
N/A
N/A
11.4
14.8
1.2
N/A
2006
87
106
0.35
N/A
29.0
27.9
N/A
0.004
N/A
N/A
10.8
14.6
1.4
N/A
2005
93
110
0.42
N/A
26.5
26.4
N/A
0.006
N/A
N/A
12.2
14.6
1.8
N/A
2004
92
109
0.40
N/A
25.2
25.4
N/A
0.006
N/A
N/A
12.4
14.7
1.4
N/A
2003
55
84
0.43
N/A
21.6
23.6
N/A
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
N/A
2002
59
90
0.49
N/A
22.2
26.2
0.003
0.000
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
N/A
2001
74
98
0.49
N/A
24.0
27.1
0.009
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.5
2.4
2000
85
109
0.52
N/A
25.1
29.0
0.017
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.0
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
75.2%
101.7%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
18.1%
85.8%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
24%
7%
Transportation
Jacksonville has more extensive public transit and freeway systems due to its larger size, while Augusta offers ample parking and less traffic congestion due to its smaller size.
Transport
Type
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
0
FAA registered aircraft
566
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
34
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
Bicycle
0.2%
0.1%
Bus
1.1%
0.9%
Carpooled
9%
8.2%
Car alone
86.5%
86.6%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.3%
Walked
1.2%
1.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
Average
27.5 min
24.8 min
Other means
25 min
22 min
Public transportation
43.7 min
35 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
89.4%
89.9%
In 2 person carpool
8%
8.1%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
1.3%
In 4 person carpool
0.7%
0.3%
In 5-6 person carpool
0%
0.2%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Jacksonville is more expensive with a wider array of coastal properties. Augusta’s real estate, while less expensive, offers charming southern homes and properties adjacent to golf courses.
Neighborhoods
Diverse neighborhoods characterize both cities. Jacksonville hosts Riverside, an artsy neighborhood, and Avondale with historic homes, while Augusta has Summerville, known for its quaint southern charm, and downtown Augusta with its active nightlife.
Houses and residents
Type
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
Houses
422,315
90,645
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.5
Median year apartment built
1985
1983
Median year house/condo built
1987
1978
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.5 years
16.2 years
Houses occupied
386,283 (91.5%)
72,760 (80.3%)
Houses occupied by owners
226,429 (58.6%)
37,458 (51.5%)
Houses occupied by renters
159,854 (41.4%)
35,302 (48.5%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,444
$1,033
Median monthly housing costs
$1,154
$920
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$260,045
$171,838
Estimated median house or condo value
$239,400
$131,900
Median numbers of rooms
5.6
5.5
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.3
4.5
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.5
Median house price - detached houses
$282,276
$177,707
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$144,947
$242,054
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$220,508
$166,025
Median house price - mobile homes
$87,589
$72,383
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$213,709
$162,209
Median house price - All housing units
$266,926
$171,426
Median house age
36
41
Renting percentage
38.3%
46.4%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
557.4
300
House value disparities
33.2%
40.6%
Household income disparities
44.2%
47.5%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$83,160
$73,692
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$59,777
$50,875
Housing units without a mortgage
2,439 (1.6%)
576 (2.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
8,460 (5.5%)
824 (3.5%)
Housing units with a mortgage
150,468 (98.4%)
22,818 (97.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
255 (0.2%)
127 (0.5%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
11,378 (7.4%)
1,097 (4.7%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
17
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
4.7%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.4%
3.1%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
One, detached
59.4%
57.9%
One, attached
6.1%
5.2%
Two
2.1%
2.9%
3 or 4
5.3%
7.9%
5 to 9
5.0%
9.9%
10 to 19
7.9%
4.7%
20 to 49
4.9%
2.2%
50 or more
5.3%
2.5%
Mobile homes
3.8%
6.8%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.2%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
19,601
2,768
State government workers
13,692
7,865
Unpaid family workers
1,066
96
Industries and Occupations
Healthcare, logistics and financial services dominate Jacksonville's economy, while Augusta thrives on public sector, education and healthcare jobs. Both cities feature a budding tech industry.
Healthcare in Jacksonville is noted for the Mayo Clinic, while Augusta is well-respected for the healthcare offered at the Augusta University Health system.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
With a more developed infrastructure, Jacksonville offers better quality of roads, bridges, and public buildings. Augusta, while having a decent infrastructure, is smaller and less developed in comparison.
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Jacksonville
Augusta-Richmond County
1999
5,422
857
2000
4,132
957
2001
3,038
589
2002
2,017
420
2003
3,563
393
2004
4,781
554
2005
7,134
550
2006
8,812
594
2007
5,298
399
2008
1,719
207
2009
676
104
Culture and Food
Both cities offer a rich blend of southern culture and cuisine. Jacksonville, with its coastal location, provides a wider array of seafood dining options. Augusta is renowned for southern comfort food and its vibrant music scene.
Sports Teams
Jacksonville is home to the NFL’s Jaguars while Augusta is famed for Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters Tournament.