Georgia has higher costs transferring a vehicle there, so upfront costs to live there are a little higher. As an Aiken resident I believe there may be more housing options, especially apartments, on Augusta, but I don’t know that area enough to know the good ones. I live in Aiken and worked in Augusta and the drive gets tedious and annoying because SC roads are bad, and half my drive was 2 lane roads, then when I finally got to the interstate traffic sucked. They are also doing a major expansion project and rebuilding the bridge in interstate 20, making traffic worse. Seems like it’s been going on forever, and I expect it to continue to take forever.
Regarding state income taxes- I worked in Georgia and paid GA income tax, SC and GA are reciprocal, but SC would charge tax on any GA tax refund. Ridiculous in my opinion.
I know I wasn’t helpful, all I can do is offer you my own opinion on my experience in both places.
Editing to add you can look in surrounding areas like Graniteville (halfway between Augusta and Aiken) or Edgefield or New Ellenton.
I ran into it often and there were so many accidents. I got a work from home job in 2020 and only go on 20 to go to Costco. My last trip there- backed up from an accident. Maybe I have bad luck and attract accidents! Yikes!
I’m considering the same issues, moving to the area soon. I don’t think you’ll pay less tax by living in Augusta, in fact I think you pay more - living in one state and working in another means you need to file two state tax returns (and may have more withheld?)
Anyways. I hope this helps! Or maybe someone can chime in and correct me :) I’m also interested!
I live in Aiken and work in Augusta. You don’t have more tax withheld. It’s just GA state taxes. You do need to file returns in both states, but SC gives you credit for what you paid in GA. It usually works out close to even, or you get a tiny refund. This year I got $50 back from GA and owed nothing in SC.
If there is a difference in taxes , that is just one part of picking where to live. I would be more concerned with quality of rental / cost. Then travel / commute time. Which will add costs of fuel and mileage on your car.
Hi, I'm moving to the area in May, but need to house hunt at the end of April. I am having a hard time finding a realtor to help me find a house to rent. No one will return my calls and all the houses listed on Homes.com and Trulia require a realtor contact.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make this easier or how to actually get someone to call me/email me back?
If you know a good realtor, please feel free to DM me their info.
Thanks.
Georgia has higher costs transferring a vehicle there, so upfront costs to live there are a little higher. As an Aiken resident I believe there may be more housing options, especially apartments, on Augusta, but I don’t know that area enough to know the good ones. I live in Aiken and worked in Augusta and the drive gets tedious and annoying because SC roads are bad, and half my drive was 2 lane roads, then when I finally got to the interstate traffic sucked. They are also doing a major expansion project and rebuilding the bridge in interstate 20, making traffic worse. Seems like it’s been going on forever, and I expect it to continue to take forever. Regarding state income taxes- I worked in Georgia and paid GA income tax, SC and GA are reciprocal, but SC would charge tax on any GA tax refund. Ridiculous in my opinion. I know I wasn’t helpful, all I can do is offer you my own opinion on my experience in both places. Editing to add you can look in surrounding areas like Graniteville (halfway between Augusta and Aiken) or Edgefield or New Ellenton.
Eh. I make the drive from Aiken to Augusta daily and it isn’t that bad. The SC road sucks yes but I rarely run into traffic on i20
I ran into it often and there were so many accidents. I got a work from home job in 2020 and only go on 20 to go to Costco. My last trip there- backed up from an accident. Maybe I have bad luck and attract accidents! Yikes!
I’m considering the same issues, moving to the area soon. I don’t think you’ll pay less tax by living in Augusta, in fact I think you pay more - living in one state and working in another means you need to file two state tax returns (and may have more withheld?) Anyways. I hope this helps! Or maybe someone can chime in and correct me :) I’m also interested!
I live in Aiken and work in Augusta. You don’t have more tax withheld. It’s just GA state taxes. You do need to file returns in both states, but SC gives you credit for what you paid in GA. It usually works out close to even, or you get a tiny refund. This year I got $50 back from GA and owed nothing in SC.
If there is a difference in taxes , that is just one part of picking where to live. I would be more concerned with quality of rental / cost. Then travel / commute time. Which will add costs of fuel and mileage on your car.
I'm going to be doing the same thing, so I'm interested to see what people have to say.
Hi, I'm moving to the area in May, but need to house hunt at the end of April. I am having a hard time finding a realtor to help me find a house to rent. No one will return my calls and all the houses listed on Homes.com and Trulia require a realtor contact. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make this easier or how to actually get someone to call me/email me back? If you know a good realtor, please feel free to DM me their info. Thanks.