Augusta: Masters-town value, cyber jobs arriving. Waco: I-35 corridor growth between DFW and Austin.
Dimension
Augusta
Waco
Median home price
$254K
$259K
Effective property tax
0.92%
1.68%
Tax friendliness
6/10
9/10
Winter mildness
8/10
8/10
Summer comfort
5/10
4/10
Walkability
4/10
4/10
Outdoor access
5/10
4/10
Culture & food
5/10
5/10
Healthcare
6/10
5/10
Airport connectivity
5/10
3/10
Schools
5/10
5/10
Safety
5/10
5/10
Hazard safety (10 = lowest risk)
9/10
9/10
Growth trajectory
4/10
8/10
Pick Augusta if your priorities lean: Median home price, Effective property tax, Summer comfort, Outdoor access. Pick Waco if they lean: Tax friendliness, Growth trajectory. There is no universal winner — only a winner for your weights.