Top Neighborhoods
Augusta-Richmond County's neighborhood map is a patchwork of historic charm, suburban sprawl, and gentrifying pockets. Choosing the right one isn't about finding the "best" zip codeโit's about matching your daily grind, budget, and lifestyle to the specific streets that can support them.
Quick Compare: Top Neighborhoods in Augusta-Richmond County
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Rent Range | Best For | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summerville | Historic, leafy, academic | $1,100-$1,600 | Medical professionals, professors | ~68 |
| Downtown | Urban core, energetic, growing | $950-$1,400 | Young professionals, remote workers | ~82 |
| North Augusta | Quiet, family-centric, riverfront | $1,000-$1,500 | Families, government contractors | ~55 |
| West Augusta | Suburban, convenient, commercial | $900-$1,300 | Budget-conscious commuters | ~45 |
| Evans | Master-planned, safe, sprawling | $1,200-$1,700 | Families with school-age kids | ~35 |
| ** Martinez** | Established, residential, steady | $1,050-$1,550 | First-time homebuyers, stable renters | ~40 |
Summerville
Overview: This is Augusta's historic crown jewel, centered around the Augusta University medical campus. The streets are canopy-heavy, the homes are pre-war, and the vibe is educated and established. Think doctors and professors who want to walk to work.
The Numbers:
- ๐ Rent: $1,100 - $1,600/mo (1BR) | $1,500 - $2,200/mo (2BR)
- ๐ก Buy: Median home $250k - $350k
- ๐ Commute: 5-8 min to Medical District | 12 min to downtown
- ๐ถ Walk Score: ~68 (Very walkable core, hilly terrain)
Local Intel: Traffic on Walton Way and Telfair Street is a nightmare between 7:30-8:30 AM and 4:30-5:30 PM due to hospital shift changes. The best parking for the Saturday Market on Broad is behind the library on 4th Street. Avoid the blocks directly bordering the Harrisburg corridor after dark.
Who Thrives Here: Medical residents, AU professors, and empty-nesters who want to downsize but stay in the walkable core. You need a flexible schedule to navigate the healthcare traffic.
Pros & Cons:
- โ True walkability to grocery stores, pharmacies, and the best coffee in town
- โ Architectural character you can't find elsewhere in the CSRA
- โ Older housing stock means drafty windows and constant maintenance
- โ Parking is a genuine headache for anyone with more than one car
Schools: Richmond County School District (generally average to below average). The magnet program at Davidson Fine Arts is highly competitive and a major draw.
The Verdict: Move here if you work at the Med Center or AU and value character over square footage. Avoid it if you need a modern apartment with dedicated parking or have school-age kids you want in top-tier public schools.
Downtown
Overview: The city's beating heart is a mix of historic conversions, new builds, and the unstoppable momentum of the SRP Park district. It's where the riverfront development is actually happening. Theๆ ธๅฟๅบ is centered around Reynolds Street and the 8th Street corridor.
The Numbers:
- ๐ Rent: $950 - $1,400/mo (1BR) | $1,300 - $1,800/mo (2BR)
- ๐ก Buy: Median home $220k - $300k (condos/townhomes)
- ๐ Commute: 0-5 min to downtown offices | 15 min to Medical District
- ๐ถ Walk Score: ~82 (Walker's Paradise)
Local Intel: The Greenway along the Savannah River is your best bet for a safe, scenic run. The weekend brunch wait at The Boll Weevil can hit 90 minutesโput your name in and walk to New Moon Cafe for coffee. The St. Patrick's Day parade here is a legitimate, city-stopping event.
Who Thrives Here: Young professionals who work downtown, remote workers who need coffee shop scenery, and anyone who wants to walk to a GreenJackets game.
Pros & Cons:
- โ Highest walk score in the county; you can genuinely live car-lite
- โ Explosive growth in restaurants and nightlife (e.g., The Bees Knees, Craft & Vine)
- โ Noise from trains, events, and nightlife can be relentless
- โ Crime of opportunity (car break-ins) is an issue; don't leave valuables visible
Schools: Downtown is zoned for Richmond County schools. Many residents opt for private schools or the magnet program.
The Verdict: Perfect for the young professional who wants an urban lifestyle without big-city rent. Not ideal for families who need a yard and quiet streets, or for light sleepers.
North Augusta (SC Side)
Overview: Technically in South Carolina but functionally part of the metro. It's a separate municipality with its own police, schools, and a riverfront master plan that's actually delivering. Centered around the SRP Park and Hammond's Ferry development.
The Numbers:
- ๐ Rent: $1,000 - $1,500/mo (1BR) | $1,400 - $1,900/mo (2BR)
- ๐ก Buy: Median home $280k - $380k
- ๐ Commute: 10 min to downtown Augusta | 20 min to Medical District
- ๐ถ Walk Score: ~55 (Car-dependent, but walkable core developing)
Local Intel: The Riverwalk is the best public space in the metroโperiod. Traffic on Georgia Avenue is a bottleneck during events at SRP Park. The Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is a hidden gem for kayaking and birding, just 10 minutes away.
Who Thrives Here: Families who want SC schools and lower taxes, and government contractors who work at Savannah River Site. It's for people who want a quiet home base but easy access to Augusta's amenities.
Pros & Cons:
- โ Superior public schools (Aiken County) and lower property taxes than GA side
- โ New, quality housing stock and a safe, clean downtown area
- โ Crossing the bridge into Augusta is a psychological and traffic barrier
- โ The "South Carolina" identity can feel isolated from the core metro culture
Schools: Aiken County Public Schools (highly rated). North Augusta High is a top performer in the region.
The Verdict: The winner for families who prioritize schools and safety. If your job, social life, and doctors are all in Augusta, the daily bridge crossing will wear on you.
West Augusta
Overview: This is the practical, budget-friendly corridor along Walton Way Extension and Fury's Ferry Road. It's a sea of strip malls, apartment complexes, and big-box stores, but it's centrally located and affordable.
The Numbers:
- ๐ Rent: $900 - $1,300/mo (1BR) | $1,200 - $1,600/mo (2BR)
- ๐ก Buy: Median home $180k - $250k
- ๐ Commute: 15-20 min to downtown | 10-15 min to Medical District
- ๐ถ Walk Score: ~45 (Car-dependent)
Local Intel: The Augusta Mall area is the unofficial town center. Tacos & Tequila on Walton Way is a local favorite for happy hour. The traffic on Walton Way Extension is gridlock during peak hours; use Fury's Ferry or Doug Barnard Parkway as parallel routes.
Who Thrives Here: People who need a central location without the downtown or Summerville price tag. It's ideal for service workers, airport employees, and anyone who wants to be 15 minutes from everywhere.
Pros & Cons:
- โ Most affordable rents for a 1BR within city limits
- โ Unbeatable access to I-20, the airport, and every chain restaurant imaginable
- โ Visually bland, zero walkability, and cookie-cutter apartment complexes
- โ Crime rates tick up in the dense apartment corridors west of I-20
Schools: Richmond County (average to below average). The area is a patchwork of zones; verify your specific address.
The Verdict: The smart money for budget-conscious renters who need to commute. You sacrifice charm and walkability for pure affordability and location.
Evans
Overview: Columbia County's flagship master-planned community. It's all post-1990 subdivisions, HOA-maintained medians, and families in SUVs. The center of gravity is the Evans Towne Center park and the shopping plaza at Washington Road and Belair Road.
The Numbers:
- ๐ Rent: $1,200 - $1,700/mo (1BR) | $1,600 - $2,200/mo (2BR)
- ๐ก Buy: Median home $300k - $450k
- ๐ Commute: 25-30 min to downtown Augusta | 35-40 min to Medical District
- ๐ถ Walk Score: ~35 (Extremely car-dependent)
Local Intel: The Evans to Locks Greenway is the best paved trail for biking and running. Washington Road traffic is brutal during school pick-up times (2:30-3:30 PM) due to Evans High School. The Publix at the Towne Center is the unofficial community hub.
Who Thrives Here: Families with 2+ cars who want top-tier schools and a safe, suburban bubble. You need to be committed to driving for everything.
Pros & Cons:
- โ Columbia County schools are the gold standard in the metro (Evans High, Lakeside High)
- โ Extremely low crime rates and meticulously maintained public spaces
- โ Brutal commute to downtown or the Med Center; you're isolated
- โ Zero character or walkability; it's a suburb in the purest sense
Schools: Columbia County School District (A-rated). Evans High and Sue Reynolds Elementary are standouts.
The Verdict: The undisputed winner for families who will only compromise on schools. If you work downtown, the 30-minute commute each way will drain your quality of life.
Martinez
Overview: The older, more established sibling to Evans. It's a mix of 1970s-1990s brick ranches and split-levels with mature trees and actual neighborhoods (not just subdivisions). Centered around the Martinez Plaza and the Columbia County Library.
The Numbers:
- ๐ Rent: $1,050 - $1,550/mo (1BR) | $1,400 - $1,900/mo (2BR)
- ๐ก Buy: Median home $220k - $320k
- ๐ Commute: 20-25 min to downtown | 30-35 min to Medical District
- ๐ถ Walk Score: ~40 (Car-dependent, but some pockets have sidewalks)
Local Intel: The Augusta Canal trailhead at the Mill is the best starting point for a bike ride. The Bee's Knees (sister to the downtown location) in Martinez Plaza is a local institution. Avoid Washington Road between I-20 and Belair Road during 5:00 PM rush hour.
Who Thrives Here: First-time homebuyers priced out of Evans who still want Columbia County schools. It's for people who want a quiet, established neighborhood without the HOA headaches of Evans.
Pros & Cons:
- โ More affordable than Evans with similar school quality
- โ Established neighborhoods with trees and sidewalks, not new construction mud pits
- โ Housing stock is aging; many homes need HVAC, roof, or foundation work
- โ Traffic congestion on Washington Road is worse here than in Evans
Schools: Columbia County School District (A-rated). Riverside Elementary and Greenbrier High are top performers.
The Verdict: The practical choice for Columbia County. You get 90% of Evans' school quality and safety for 75% of the housing price, but with an older, more lived-in feel.
Final Advice
For young professionals, Downtown is the clear winnerโyour rent premium buys you a social life and a walkable lifestyle that's unique in the CSRA. For families, the choice is binary: Evans if you can stomach the commute, North Augusta if you want SC schools and easier access to Augusta. For medical professionals, Summerville is unbeatableโliving within walking distance of the Med Center is a lifestyle hack that saves you hours a week.
Traffic patterns are king here: the I-20 corridor is the main artery, but the Bobby Jones Expressway and Washington Road are the daily grinds. A 15-minute commute can easily become 40 minutes if you ignore rush hour timing. The most counterintuitive tip: North Augusta is often a faster commute to downtown Augusta than living in Evans or Martinez, despite being in another state. Don't let state lines fool youโgeography is geography.